About Claudette and John Brassil
The Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award celebrates the contributions of two long-time educators who have inspired students and mentored teachers for over eighty combined years in Maine public schools.
A graduate of Colby College, John earned his Master’s Degree at the University of New Hampshire where he became a disciple of Donald Murray, whose book A Writer Teaches Writing changed the landscape of writing instruction. Hired at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham in 1974, John strove for excellence in the classroom and subsequently became a leader in curriculum and professional development for his colleagues. For over thirty years, he served on the Executive Board of the Maine Council for English Language Arts, including three years as its President. John believed in and modeled the importance of collegiality to support fellow teachers, training teachers for the College Board to teach Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and helping to create and sustain a statewide mentoring program for new AP teachers in Maine. John served as a reader, table leader, and question leader at the annual AP reading, and he also served on the test development committee for which he developed questions for the AP English Language and Composition Exam. John closed his high school teaching career at John Bapst Memorial High School, where from August 2010 to June 2013 his excellent and compassionate teaching, drive for excellence, and professionalism invigorated and elevated the quality of one of northern New England's best college preparatory schools.
Claudette Lachance Brassil graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1974 and began her teaching career at Mount Ararat High School where she was assigned to team teach with John Brassil. Like John, Claudette earned her Master’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire and was also fortunate to fall under the tutelage of Don Murray. In addition to teaching, Claudette was a faculty leader at Mt. Ararat High School, serving as Advisory Curriculum Coordinator and developing the plan for senior capstone projects. Claudette attended her first Maine Council for English Language Arts Conference in 1975 in Bangor, subsequently joined the organization, and soon began offering her own insights, ideas, and ultimately conference workshops of her own design. In addition to inspiring myriad students and colleagues over the course of her career, Claudette has served on the Executive Board of the Maine Council for English Language Arts as President, Secretary, and Conference Chair. In 2011, she was nominated by her colleagues to receive the NCTE Excellence in Education Award. In retirement, Claudette continues to generously share her time and expertise by serving on the Executive Board of the Maine Council for English Language Arts, by working as a Consultant for the College Board, and by training new AP English Language and Composition teachers across the country, from Saint Joseph’s College in Maine to as far away as Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Claudette Lachance Brassil graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1974 and began her teaching career at Mount Ararat High School where she was assigned to team teach with John Brassil. Like John, Claudette earned her Master’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire and was also fortunate to fall under the tutelage of Don Murray. In addition to teaching, Claudette was a faculty leader at Mt. Ararat High School, serving as Advisory Curriculum Coordinator and developing the plan for senior capstone projects. Claudette attended her first Maine Council for English Language Arts Conference in 1975 in Bangor, subsequently joined the organization, and soon began offering her own insights, ideas, and ultimately conference workshops of her own design. In addition to inspiring myriad students and colleagues over the course of her career, Claudette has served on the Executive Board of the Maine Council for English Language Arts as President, Secretary, and Conference Chair. In 2011, she was nominated by her colleagues to receive the NCTE Excellence in Education Award. In retirement, Claudette continues to generously share her time and expertise by serving on the Executive Board of the Maine Council for English Language Arts, by working as a Consultant for the College Board, and by training new AP English Language and Composition teachers across the country, from Saint Joseph’s College in Maine to as far away as Carlsbad, New Mexico.
About the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award
Purpose: The Maine Council for English Language Arts, an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English, is proud to announce the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize exceptional English language arts and literacy teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, contributed to the profession, and shown a commitment to the community.
Eligibility: Nominees should be full time English language arts or literacy teachers of students in grades 6-12 and have taught for at least five years in public or independent schools in Maine. Nominees do not have to be a member of the Maine Council for English Language Arts. Teachers may be nominated by a supervisor or a teaching peer who can provide credible evidence of achievements or be self-nominated.
Award Criteria: Teachers nominated for this award should:
Award Details: The awardee will receive:
Nomination Deadline: October 1, 2020.
Nominations will be submitted through this digital form (tinyurl.com/Brassil) and include:
Award Selection: Nominated teachers will be contacted in August. Teachers are asked to submit the following via email to maine.ela@gmail.com by December 1st:
Award Announcement: the award winner will be announced by the end of October 2020.
Eligibility: Nominees should be full time English language arts or literacy teachers of students in grades 6-12 and have taught for at least five years in public or independent schools in Maine. Nominees do not have to be a member of the Maine Council for English Language Arts. Teachers may be nominated by a supervisor or a teaching peer who can provide credible evidence of achievements or be self-nominated.
Award Criteria: Teachers nominated for this award should:
- Demonstrate commitment to student-centered learning
- Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities
- Provide leadership in the profession at the school, district, state, and/or national levels
- Develop and share effective practices
- Be involved in the community and school beyond the classroom
Award Details: The awardee will receive:
- Free registration for the MCELA annual conference
- Recognition at the MCELA annual conference
- a workshop session at the MCELA annual conference to share a best practice
- MCELA and NCTE membership for one year
- A plaque of recognition
Nomination Deadline: October 1, 2020.
Nominations will be submitted through this digital form (tinyurl.com/Brassil) and include:
- Nominated teacher: Name, school address, school and personal email, and home address.
- Nominator: Name, school address, school and personal email, home address, and relationship to the nominee.
- Nominator narrative: no more than 500 words, explaining how the teacher demonstrates the award criteria.
Award Selection: Nominated teachers will be contacted in August. Teachers are asked to submit the following via email to maine.ela@gmail.com by December 1st:
- A resume of teaching experience, leadership, awards, and workshops presentation experience
- 2 letters of support: at least 1 from a student and/or a group of students
- The nominee narrative of no more than 1,000 words that addresses but is not limited to the following information:
- Commitment to student-centered learning
- Inspiration of students of all backgrounds and abilities
- Leadership in the profession at the school, district, state, and/or national levels
- Development and sharing of effective practices
- Involvement in the community and school beyond the classroom
- Nominee’s current teaching schedule including grades, subjects, courses, and levels.
Award Announcement: the award winner will be announced by the end of October 2020.
Brassil Award Winners
Patti Forster
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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, Stephanie Hendrix, and MCELA President Dan Murphy at the March 2019
MCELA Conference
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!
Press Release