Waltham museum wins Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies award of excellence

In the buildup to Teacher Appreciation Week, social studies teachers throughout the commonwealth were honored in Waltham for their work to bring learning alive. 

On Wednesday, The Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies held its Awards of Excellence ceremony at The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. Each year, MCSS presents awards of excellence in a variety of social studies areas to educators across the commonwealth. Teachers, administrators and museum educators at all levels are eligible for recognition.

“Social studies education is the opposite of cynicism. It inspires our students of the importance of democracy, critical thinking and civic engagement,” said MCSS President Todd Wallingford.

Rachel Williams-Giordano of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School and Donna Myers of Drury High School were commended for their work in teaching secondary school students, while Lynne McNeil of Northbridge Middle School was recognized for her work in teaching middle school students. 

Becky Jackson of North Middlesex Regional High School was awarded the Don Salvucci Award for Excellence in Promoting Civic Education. The Richard Aieta Award for Promising New Teacher went to Valerie Higgins of Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough. 

The Recognition of Department Excellence in Teaching Social Studies Award went to the Nipmuc Regional High School Social Studies Department. Alec Archambault of Springfield Central High School won the George Watson Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics. 

Finally, the Barbara Capron Award for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Social Studies went to Tara Boudreau of Indian Orchard Elementary School in Springfield.

Among the honorees was the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, which was awarded the Debra Miller Award for Excellence in Museum Education.

MCSS is the largest statewide professional organization for social studies teachers and has been advocating for history, geography, economics and civics in classrooms for more than 50 years.