2025 BRSU Staff Awards

It’s more than an annual tradition. It’s a treasured ritual for the 200 plus teachers and staff of the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union (BRSU). For a full day prior to the formal opening of classrooms, everyone from all six schools comes together for a day to celebrate and plan for the new school year.

“The gathering of our community of educators reminds us all about why the work we do is so special,” says BRSU Superintendent Randi Lowe. “The energy, support, and celebration in the room is contagious. It’s going to be a great year for our kids.”

While professional development is on the agenda, the program also sets aside time for staff members to honor the work of their peers. At the kick-off assembly, the official start o the start of the day on August 22nd, recipients of the 2025 BRSU Awards were introduced to an enthusiastic, cheering crowd.

Two of the three BRSU Award categories feature teachers and professionals for their work with students in the classroom. BRSU Teachers of the Year are nominated and selected by their peers. To be eligible for this honor, an instructor must have had at least three years of experience at the BRSU, and not won previously. This year’s Teacher of the Year recipients are Mora Baker, Grade 2 teacher at The Dorset School, and Jennifer Moses, Speech Language Pathologist at Manchester Elementary Middle School (MEMS).

The BRSU also nominates two teachers each year for the University of Vermont (UVM) list of Outstanding Teachers from across the state. This award honors educators who best exemplify five standards of teaching: learning, professional knowledge, advocacy, colleagueship and accountability.

BRSU principals and senior staff recommend a short list of instructors for the UVM special designation. The final decision for the two BRSU recipients rests with Superintendent Lowe. This year’s UVM Outstanding Teachers are: Erin McCall, Librarian at the Manchester Elementary Middle School and Dawn Baker, Grade 3 Teacher at the Mettawee Community School. Both McCall and Baker will be invited to attend a ceremony later this year at the University of Vermont for all Vermont Outstanding Teachers.

In addition to the faculty awards, in 2020 the BRSU instituted a third category of BRSU honorees, the Annual Staff Award. This honor recognizes the vital contributions made daily by paraeducators, custodians, chefs, bus drivers and administrators. This year’s winners are paraeducators Brenda Bobar of Flood Brook and Judy Zinn at the Mettawee Community School.

The BRSU assembly also provided an opportunity to publicly acknowledge staff members reaching 25 years of service. This year four staffers reached the milestone: Mary Hissong, Mary Tower, Patricia Thompson, and Laura Stone.

(Photo above: BRSU Superintendent Randi Lowe uses FaceTime to inform Mettawee paraeducator Judy Zinn that she was a recipient of the BRSU Staff Award.)

A list of the BRSU Award honorees in each category, plus comments from their BRSU colleagues follow:

BRSU TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

MORA BAKER: Teacher at Dorset

Mora Baker is the person everyone comes to with questions about curriculum, academics, phonics knowledge, student difficulties, and so much more. She not only advocates for her students but maintains strong classroom management, while being able to still keep a positive and happy relationship making every child feel welcome. Mora has been a tremendous asset to our community, and exemplifies how a positive attitude and hard work can create the kind of change that allows students to thrive. Mora is incredibly dedicated to making sure her students learn and grow, while maintaining a work/life balance for herself. We could all learn from her skills and expertise.

JENNIFER MOSES: Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at MEMS

Jennifer Moses radiates positivity, is an amazing advocate for students, and a wonderful collaborator with fellow staff. Jennifer has worked in the BRSU for over 25 years, dedicating her time to special education programs for elementary and middle school students. She has amazing patience with all kids and goes above and beyond to form positive relationships with parents. In addition to being an awesome SLP, she serves on the school’s Sunshine Committee and is one of the teachers in the MEMS summer program that provides services to some of out most at-risk students. Jennifer has been a reliable, loyal and knowledgeable teacher in our district and deserves to be recognized for the value she brings to everyone.

UVM TEACHER OF THE YEAR

ERIN MCCALL: Librarian at MEMS

Erin McCall works with students to ensure that they have a deep understanding of the library and the autonomy necessary for them to develop the skills needed to be life-long learners. Erin has transformed middle school access to the library at MEMS with students now creating and directing films and podcasts. Erin is constantly with her camera ready to document student life at MEMS in an effort to support our yearbook. Erin also trains students on how to use cameras to ensure that they too become the documenters of the school year. She is an advocate for her fellow Unified Arts teachers and does her absolute best to ensure that new staff members feel supported and welcome. Erin has a huge heart and her consistent, reliable, student-centered approach to her work is deeply appreciated.

DAWN BAKER: Mettawee 3rd grade teacher

Dawn Baker is a positive and patient teacher who sets high expectations for her students. She creates a learning environment that is positive, engaging, and fun. Dawn is reflective in her teaching and always eager to learn. Dawn has great classroom management skills, setting clear expectations for her students and always looking to improve. She knows that what worked one year, will likely not work the next. Dawn is a strong colleague and collaborates well with the other teachers at Mettawee to make sure her students are reaching their potential. Dawn forms strong relationships with her students, the families, and the entire school community. Dawn Baker is a kind and devoted teacher who deserves to be recognized for the UVM Teacher award.

BRSU STAFF AWARD

BRENDA BOBAR: Paraeducator at Flood Brook

In over 40 years of service in the District, Brenda Bobar has earned a reputation for quiet compassion, hard work and patience with her students. She is creative, intelligent, and incredibly hard working. She learns about what her students are passionate about, holds kids to high expectations, and meets them with a firm and gentle approach. Brenda does what a great educator does, she lifts up, encourages, and brings out the best in every student. She takes her position seriously and her dedication to the students she works with is tremendous. She is a valued colleague, trusted paraprofessional, and friend.

JUDY ZINN: Paraeducator at Mettawee

Ready to step in and support whenever and wherever needed, Judy Zinn is incredibly valuable to the Mettawee community. She loves to teach and she gets the kids so excited to learn. Not only is she amazing with students but she is a great resource for the teachers she works with as well. Judy has devoted her life to Mettawee and at a moment's notice joins field trips, rides the bus in the afternoons, and attends evening events. In addition, Judy is on the Mettawee crisis team, playground fundraiser team, and a very active PTO member who supports all of the events and fundraisers. Judy is deserving of the BRSU staff award.

Photos of the BRSU Award winners and 25 Years of Service follow:

Mora Baker