Jennifer Babcock, Brassil Award winner, and Claudette Brassil, one of our award namesakes
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2024 Awardee: Jennifer Babcock, John Bapst High School
Jennifer Babcock is a 25-year educator at John Bapst who currently teaches American Literature and Composition, British Literature and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and Creative Writing. Babcock is the English Department Head and mentors new teachers. In addition, she has been a supervising teacher for student teachers from Husson and the University of Maine since 2011. For her school, Babcock has led student tours in the United States and abroad, has been prom advisor, spring musical choreographer, Varsity cheerleading coach, and the National Honor Society. Beyond her school, Babcock is currently the State Officer Advisor for the Maine National Honor Society and has been a judge for the Maine Principal’s Association state cheerleading competition. Babcock is a distinguished educator because of her commitment to student-centered learning and her resolution to connect her students with their community: “I constantly seek to balance collaboration with independence, which ultimately gives my students the best opportunity to find meaning in their own educational experience…The students are deeply invested in their research, they practice communicating with adults in professional settings, and we build relationships with community members and former students whom the students interview and shadow.” |
Anthony Scott, Brassil Award winner, and Claudette Brassil, one of our award namesakes
Audrey Ennamorati, Brassil Award winner
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2023 Awardee: Anthony Scott, Maine School of Science & Mathematics
Scott joined the MSSM English and Fine Arts Department in 2017 and has taught a wide range of classes, including African-American Literature, Indigenous Literature, Honors Composition, and Creative Writing. MSSM’s Academic Dean Dr. Helana E. Brigman stated, “We are so honored for Mr. Scott to win this award. He has been a model of the values many English teachers cherish: intellectual curiosity, hands-on learning, critical thinking, metacognition, creativity, and play.” She added, “In addition to offering students an inspiring, student-centered program, he is a model colleague to faculty throughout Aroostook County.” Scott is also a published poet and scholar, one who takes the art of teaching poetry seriously and believes the best way to read and understand poetry is to become a poet. Now in his third decade of teaching, Scott has found a format that works well for him and his students. This approach hardwires connection, promotes intellectual curiosity, and amplifies student voice. 2022 High School Awardee: Audrey Ennamorati, Medomak Valley High School
Audrey Ennamorati is a 33-year veteran teaching English and more at the high school and college levels. She is a passionate advocate for students and lifelong learner who inspires students and colleagues. Audrey has developed a formula for inspiring her students: My formula for inspiring students of various backgrounds and abilities includes two key approaches: (1) tapping into students’ needs/interests and (2) challenging them beyond their expectations. I learned early on in my high school teaching career that part of exercising these strengths with students means being genuine and creative at the same time. Congratulations, Audrey! |
Margaret Adams, Brassil Award winner
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2022 Middle School Awardee: Margaret Adams, Kingsfield Elementary School
Margaret Adams is an 18-year veteran teaching at the middle and high school levels. She is a compassionate, inclusive, and innovative educator who strives to support all of her students and colleagues. Margaret believes in the power of representation in the ELA curriculum: As a Native person, I understand the need to connect and be represented by what is taught in the curriculum. It was something I rarely found myself. If so, it was in the form of outdated stereotypes and from the perspective of what was rather than what is. I have spent years working to imbed multicultural literature and experiences into my curriculum in order to give minority and diverse student populations a voice and place among the pages of their texts as well as to raise the awareness of the world’s diverse perspectives. These are not stand-alone units. I work hard to bring in rich, diverse works such as Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue,” Thanhhà Lại’s "Inside Out and Back Again," and Alan Gatz's "Refugee" into the classroom in a way that not only speaks of that culture’s struggles and triumphs, but also helps others appreciate the divergent perspectives of the people around them. Congratulations, Margaret! |
Claudette Brassil, one of our award namesakes, and Patti Forster, Brassil Award winner
2020 Awardee: Patti Forster, Camden Hills Regional High School
Patti Forster is a 27-year veteran English teacher. She is a National Board Certified teacher, a passionate advocate for students, a department head and ninth grade team leader, and a recent contributor to NCTE's English Journal. One of her students had this to say about her: "Ms. Forster always creates a warm feeling class environment where everyone feels welcome."
Congratulations, Patti!
Claudette Brassil, one of the award's namesakes, Stephanie Hendrix, Brassil Award winner, and Dan Murphy, MCELA President
2019 Awardee: Stephanie Hendrix, Bangor High School
Stephanie Hendrix is a 16-year veteran English teacher.
She is a passionate learner who works side-by-side with her students and is dedicated to sharing best practices with English teachers. Stephanie is currently pursuing her doctorate through the University of Maine. Her nominator described Stephanie as a teacher leader who is a supportive mentor and colleague. Congratulations, Stephanie!
Vice President Dan Murphy, President Renee Doucette, Johnna Stanton, and Claudette Brassil at the March 2018 MCELA Conference
2018 Awardee: Johnna Stanton, Morse High School
Johnna Stanton is a 23-year veteran English teacher who has spent the last 18 years teaching at Morse High School in Bath.
Johnna’s nominator cited her love of vocation, warmth, enthusiasm, community service, and extracurricular leadership in his thoughtful letter to the organization. Congratulations, Johnna!
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