Southwick Regional School Advance Placement English teacher Matthew Sterlein (center with green bag) was recently honored as the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District’s 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellent in Teaching Award winner. He’s shown with his students after being surprised with the honor.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SOUTHWICK — Being recognized as this year’s recipient of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award for the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District, Advance Placement English teacher Matthew Sterlein understands the honor is about more than just teaching.
“While many see this as a wonderful award — which it is — it means much more to me than just an excellence in teaching award. I am beyond grateful to be the recipient of this year’s Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award for the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District,” Sterlein said after learning he had been chosen as the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District top teacher.
For Sterlein, who teaches at Southwick Regional School, the award represents being “seen for the countless hours put in far beyond the teaching day.”
“And seen for the impact of learning that each student upholds and seen as someone who is not only making a difference in students’ lives academically but also in their lives beyond the four walls of the school building,” he said.
To be chosen for the honor, Sterlein’s was nominated by his colleagues, who described why he exemplified the best qualities of a teacher.
“Mr. Sterlein exemplifies professionalism through his exceptional dedication and contributions in multiple areas. His positive attitude and willingness to collaborate create a supportive atmosphere where his peers feel valued and motivated,” one of his colleagues wrote when nominating him.
Another wrote: “Matthew builds deep meaningful connections with his students. His encouragement and trust in their abilities inspire growth and resilience, helping students to recognize and reach their fullest potential.”
Sterlein will be honored at an in-person banquet at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on May 7 with the other recipients of the 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award, according to a press release from the district.
The program will feature a festive awards presentation honoring the recipients, who will each receive an engraved plaque and a check for $250, along with generous tuition incentives and scholarships offered by eight major colleges and universities in the region: American International College, Elms College, Bay Path University, Mount Holyoke College, Springfield College, Western New England University, Westfield State University, and the University of Massachusetts.
Winners will also receive a three-month membership at the Springfield Jewish Community Center or one of the six regional YMCAs.
All winners are further invited to apply for the selective Classroom Innovator Prize of $250, which was created to foster educators’ interest and engagement in project-based learning, according to the district’s release.
Sterlein, like the other recipients of the honor, can submit a project-based learning idea to be eligible to win one of 15 prizes to be awarded.
He also wanted to thank those who helped him along the way,
“I am truly grateful to everyone who has shaped me into the teacher I am today — from past and current students to mentors and colleagues, as well as family and friends,” he said.
And Sterlein is passionate about what he does each day at Southwick Regional School.
“Not many can say they have a true passion for what they do in life, but I can. Teaching is the absolute best profession anyone could have, and I am lucky that each year I am blessed with wonderful students who reinforce this belief within me,” he said.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards program, now in its 22nd year, is made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and supported by the American International College, Arrha Credit Union, Country Bank and Meyers Brothers Kalicka.
Sterlein learned he had been chosen for honor when surprise visit was made to his classroom by District Superintendent Jennifer Willard; Director of Finance and Operations Nicholas Bernier; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Erin Carrier; SRS Assistant Principals Diana Bonneville and Christopher Barbarotta, and Principal Serena Shorter, as well as the SRS Marching Band directed by Richard Quinn.
For further information about the Excellence in Teaching Awards Program, contact Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Program Coordinator Michelle Roberts at mroberts@hgf.org.
