Reminder Publishing photos by Mike Lydick
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Five West Springfield teachers are among more than 100 teachers in Western Massachusetts who will be recognized for their exceptional teaching skills.
Elena Burke, Bryan Calderon, Julia Duffy, Karen Feeley-DeMaio and Amy Radon will receive a 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. In addition to being honored at a gala on May 7 at The Log Cabin in Holyoke, they will receive $250.
Teaching runs in Burke’s family. Both parents are teachers and both brothers are educators. She said her parents are her teacher role models and her inspiration for becoming a teacher. “In elementary school, my favorite day was Take Your Daughter to Work Day. I would go to school with one of my parents and help out in the classroom,” said Burke who has taught ninth and 10th grade English at West Springfield High School for four years. She previously taught in Holyoke and South Hadley.
Some of her proudest teaching moments are hearing the excitement in students’ voices when they passionately predict what they believe will happen in a book’s next chapter or when they end on a cliffhanger and beg Burke to keep reading just a little bit longer. “When students who think they hate reading and writing leave my class with a new favorite book or a collection of poems they are proud to have written, that’s my definition of success,” she said.
With the public’s focus on student test scores and teacher evaluations. Burke said some of the feedback teachers often get is negative. She said her award is “a gift” that recognizes all the hard work she puts in day after day for students and the school community. “It really does help teachers see that we’re making a meaningful impact — and that means everything.”
Burke plans to use the $250 to add to her classroom library, including buying some graphic novels.
When Calderon was growing up, he never had a teacher who inspired him. “That’s kind of sad. I was a student who flew under the radar. I did fine, but never really enough for teachers to ‘see’ me,” said Calderon who teaches sixth and eighth grade math at West Springfield Middle School.
Calderon has taught in the district for nine years. When he began teaching, he wanted to be a teacher who let all students know they are recognized for their efforts and to be comfortable learning. “My wife Lisa, who teaches at James Clark Elementary School in Agawam, has had the most influence on my career. She has consistently listened and supported me throughout my career,” he said.
Calderon said many students come from elementary school not liking math or not believing they can learn math and he loves it. “When they realize they can, they become confident learners,” he said.
According to Calderon, West Side schools have had a “tremendous increase” in students coming from different countries without having much experience in math or just speaking English. “When I see those students in my class with fear in their eyes who become more confident with math and with themselves in the classroom, it just brings me a tremendous sense of pride,” he said.
Calderon said most teachers don’t go into the profession for recognition. “Teaching has become a very challenging profession, so it does feel good to know that your efforts are recognized.” He said the $250 will be “very helpful” when he goes shopping for new classroom supplies this summer.
Duffy is a “proud” third-generation educator who has been “lucky enough” to receive guidance and a passion for learning from excellent teachers throughout her life. “My mom was my first teacher, and some of my earliest — and most favorite — memories are when she taught me how to read and we would find joy in reading books together,” she said.
Throughout Duffy’s elementary, secondary and college education she was inspired by educators who demonstrated “an unapologetic passion” for teaching. She was “deeply impressed” by the exposure she had to the importance and love of learning. “I can’t imagine a better use of my life than to pay forward the gift of fostering a love for learning,” she said.
This is Duffy’s second year teaching at Coburn Elementary School. Currently teaching third grade, she taught second grade last year. She said the best part of teaching is celebrating the small wins that occur every day. “Progress and achievement are unique to each student. Nothing quite compares to the electricity of excitement I see pass through a student when they proudly share a new skill they have mastered.”
Duffy said some of her proudest moments are recognizing and celebrating students for their academic, social or emotional gains. “I’m even more proud when I witness students celebrating the efforts and successes of their peers,” she said.
Although new to the profession, Duffy appreciates the demands of her profession as well as the many unseen aspects of her work. She spends nearly equal amounts of time working alone in her classroom or at home as she does with students. “Knowing my colleagues and school leadership recognize and appreciate the fruits of my efforts, whether they are witnessed by others or not, makes me feel seen,” Duffy said.
Duffy plans to use the $250 to invest in fun, hands-on learning experiences for her students Among her ideas: purchasing supplies to raise butterflies in her classroom for studying life cycles and buying Hot Wheels tracks for studying forces and motion.
Feeley-DeMaio became a special education teacher after working as a paraprofessional for a student with autism. She enjoyed her time in the classroom with the student so much it inspired her to pursue a teaching career.
“The best part of teaching is witnessing the moment when a student finally understands or achieves something they’ve worked hard on,” said Feeley-DeMaio, “Even more rewarding is when former students return to share their accomplishments after leaving school. Knowing I played a role in their success and thinking about their bright futures ahead makes the everyday challenges worthwhile.”
A special education teacher for 12 years, Feeley-DeMaio began her career at Holyoke High School. She left HHS after three years to teach at Mittineague Elementary School for a year before moving to Fausey Elementary School.
Feeley-DeMaio said it’s important to recognize excellence in teaching because teachers often don’t receive the appreciation they deserve.
“Teachers dedicate so much to their students – and it often goes unnoticed,” she said. “This award is particularly meaningful to me as a reminder that the work I do matters and makes a difference. It also reinforces that my efforts have been seen and appreciated.”
Teaching is a second career for Radon, who previously had a business career. The second-grade teacher at Fausey Elementary School has taught in West Springfield for 17 years.
“My joy for teaching started in 2000 when I volunteered at my child’s preschool,” said Radon. “I went back to school to earn my teaching degree. My children’s teachers inspired me daily.”
For Radon, teaching is about the kids. “Seeing a student have a moment of understanding on a topic is the most amazing teaching moment for me. That ‘Aha’ moment is why I do this job. it can be hard, and teachers wear many hats in education, so this award is appreciated and is very motivating,” she said.
Radon plans to use her $250 to buy extra classroom enrichment materials.
