Most valuable teacher awardee Meghan Lagimoniere (second from left) celebrates her award with student nominator Zack Wattu (second from right) and representatives from Country Bank and The WooSox Foundation.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WARE — Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School second grade teacher Meghan Lagimoniere was recently selected as “Most Valuable Teacher” by Country Bank and The WooSox Foundation.
The Most Valuable Teacher award is given out by the organizations to recognize teachers “who go above and beyond,” Country Bank stated. Teachers who win are awarded $100 from Country Bank and tickets to a WooSox game.
Lagimoniere was nominated for this award by student Zack Wattu, who stated that he chose to nominate her “‘because she always makes me feel safe and believes in me,’” Lagimoniere told Reminder Publishing.
A Ware teacher for 20 years, Lagimoniere said that she was inspired to become a teacher because she enjoyed helping students learn. “[I love] getting to see that lightbulb go off when they understand new concepts,” she said.
When asked about the most important aspects of a teacher, Lagimoniere highlighted the importance of connecting and building relationships with students.
“My main approach [to teaching] would probably be to [build] a community within our classroom so all kids feel comfortable,” she explained, stating that she works to emphasize mutual respect and responsibility with each of students every year.
Lagimoniere was commemorated for her award by a classroom visit from the organizations as well as highlighted at the April 11 School Committee meeting. In his recognition of her achievement, Superintendent Michael Lovato thanked Lagimoniere for her work as a Ware teacher, emphasizing that he valued and appreciated her.
“This teacher has probably been one of the most hospitable to me and treated me with fairness and kindness, but I also see her 100% always taking care of her kids with expectations,” he said.
This is Lagimoniere’s first teaching award, she said.
In addition to her work as a classroom teacher, Lagimoniere also serves as secretary to the elementary school’s parent-teacher organization. In this role, she assists with the organization’s events, takes meeting notes and updates the school communication application, ClassDojo. This is her second year as secretary, she said. Previously, Lagimoniere also served as vice president for the organization.
