Heidi Crumrine Named 2018 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year

Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut announced that Heidi Crumrine, an English teacher at Concord High School, is the 2018 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. In receiving this award, Ms. Crumrine becomes New Hampshire’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

"This honor recognizes Heidi's exemplary leadership abilities, professional growth and achievement, and total commitment to excellence in education. This award and recognition builds community awareness about our finest schools and districts and showcases the extraordinary educators in our state," said Commissioner Edelblut. "Every year the selection committee is amazed by how difficult it is to select a recipient to continue the proud tradition of teaching excellence. Heidi will serve as a leader and ambassador for all the outstanding teachers devoted to the highest level of student learning in their classrooms."

Ms. Crumrine is entering her sixteenth year of teaching, thirteen of them have been at Concord High School. The selection committee recognized her commitment to ALL students and how she sees them as capable contributing members of her classroom. She universally designs her lessons in order to present material in a way that is engaging and relevant to students.

Heidi wrote in her application, "Everyday I enter the classroom with a focus on what is important - the young people in front of me who are our best hope for our future. To spark a love of reading for a young person is to set in motion a pathway for success that will follow her wherever she goes."

Her principal, Tom Sica, wrote in his letter of recommendation, "Heidi has invested herself in creating an environment in which students are known and valued. Her knowledge of curriculum and of student learners are key elements which help to explain why her students thrive and succeed. Consistently, she works to develop and implement lessons that engage students and challenge them to think critically."

New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Finalists are: Brenda Barth a social studies teacher at Bow High School; Maegan Jerr a first grade teacher at the Gonic School; Stephanie Masters a world language teacher at Gilford Middle School; and Shauna Webber a kindergarten teacher at Smyth Road School in Manchester. Semi-finalists are: Michele Croteau a third grade teacher at the Adeline C. Marston School in Hampton; Cynthia Hodgdon a German teacher at Conval High School in Peterborough; and Cynthia Najem a kindergarten teacher at Ernest P. Barker Elementary in Derry.

Each year, New Hampshire schools take part in the State and National Teacher of the Year Program. The National Teacher of the Year program, run by the Council of Chief State School Officers and presented by Voya Financial, identifies exceptional teachers in the country, recognizes their effective work in the classroom, amplifies their voices, and empowers them to participate in policy discussions at the state and national levels.

In early December, these semi-finalists, finalists, and the 2018 NH Teacher of the Year will be invited to a “Leadership in Education Banquet” to celebrate their accomplishments along with other distinguished educators in the State.

The selection process for the 2018 NH Teacher of the Year program was coordinated by a committee including: Tate Aldrich, 2017 NH Teacher of the Year; Cindy Chagnon, NH State Board of Education; Ginny Clifford, NH Department of Education (retired); Carl Ladd, Executive Director, NH School Administrators Association; Peggy McAllister, Executive Director, NH Association of School Principals; and Ashley Preston, 2016 NH Teacher of the Year.

For more information about this and other award/recognition programs coordinated through the Department of Education log on to Recognition and Awards Programs or contact Lori Kincaid, NH Teacher of the Year Coordinator at (603) 271-6646 or e-mail Lori.Kincaid@doe.nh.gov.

To contact Concord High School please call (603) 225-0800.