Superintendent Gordon Smith shakes hands and congratulates the four award recipients.
Photo credit: ELCAT01028
EAST LONGMEADOW — Four educators in East Longmeadow Public Schools received the 2026 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching award for excellence in and out of the classroom.
For the past 23 years, the awards program has been made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with MassMutual and the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, recognizing over 100 educators in Western Massachusetts each year.
Recipients are selected by a committee of local administrators and past recipients based on criteria related to excellence in teaching, professional development, contributions beyond the classroom and respect by peers, parents and students.
This year’s recipients are East Longmeadow High School classic and world language teacher and Department Chair Jen Faulkner; Meadow Brook Elementary kindergarten teacher Diane Longo; Birchland Park Middle School science teacher Marilyn Robichaud; and Mountain View and Mapleshade Elementary music teacher Ryan Schneider.
Superintendent Gordon Smith recognized the awardees and read some reasons their colleagues nominated them at the School Committee meeting on April 6.
One nomination for Faulkner said she is “able to get her students of all abilities, whether they are AP, honors or special education students, to reach their full potential.”
“[Faulkner’s] lesson planning and execution of her lessons are a model to all staff in her department, as well as staff in other subject areas,” Smith said. “Another colleague said ‘[Faulkner] is great at collaborating with staff and her knowledge of curriculum and resources is excellent.’”
One of Faulkner’s colleagues cited her as “one of the greatest educators I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing” and that her “dedication to her students is boundless.”
Longo was noted to have an “outstanding dedication to students, commitment to professional growth and continual pursuit of instructional excellence.”
“[Longo] constantly demonstrates a deep commitment to improving her practice,” Smith said. “She actively seeks out professional learning opportunities, reflects on student data and thoughtfully applies new strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners. Her dedication to professional growth is evident in the ways she continually refines her instruction to ensure all students can succeed.”
Another colleague said Longo has the ability to “create an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment” and that students feel “valued, respected and safe to take academic risks.”
“[Longo’s] passion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to students makes her truly deserving of this recognition,” Smith said. “She exemplifies excellence in teaching and has a lasting positive impact on both her students and the school community.”
Robichaud is an “exemplary teacher for many reasons” and a “go-to resource when a colleague needs assistance,” according to one of her nominations.
“She is the most organized, fair, level-headed teacher I have ever worked with,” Smith said. “Her relationship with her students is excellent, and she keeps fair, realistic expectations for all her students.”
Robichaud was also said to be “a model of what any teacher in any discipline should be” and a “true, reliable professional.”
Schneider was nominated for being a “dynamic addition to the Mountain View family, showing up each and every day with unwavering positivity and enthusiasm.”
“He has developed meaningful rapport with students and staff, is always willing to lend a hand and truly brings out the best in the students he serves, and the kids are making real, remarkable progress,” Smith said. “Though a new teacher, [Schneider] has already made a remarkable impact on our school community with his enthusiasm, dedication and genuine love for children.”
Schneider runs the school chorus and band and a nomination said he puts in “countless hours to create meaningful, high quality performances that inspire students and build school pride.”
The four educators will be formally recognized and awarded at the spring banquet in Holyoke on May 20.
