Two Herricks High School teachers earn Outstanding Educator Awards

The Island Now

The Herricks Public Schools are pleased to congratulate two valued faculty members who been recognized with the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Awards. Herricks High School science teacher Caitlin Etri and social studies teacher Melissa Jacobs were nominated by Herricks graduates who acknowledged the educators’ positive impacts on their lives and significant roles in their high school experiences.

Each year, newly admitted University of Chicago students have the opportunity to reflect on their time in school and honor a teacher whose influence has brought them to where they are today. The University of Chicago noted in a letter that this year’s Outstanding Educator Award winners are exceptional in their field and role models for all students.

“The University deeply appreciates the lively minds who thirst for knowledge that these educators have nurtured and inspired,” the letter said. “We thank them for going above and beyond the call of duty every day and leaving an impression that will be carried over a lifetime.”

Caitlin Etri. (Photo courtesy of Herricks Public Schools)

A member of the Herricks High School faculty since 2015, Ms. Etri has taught Honors Living Environment, Regents Living Environment, Forensics, and all levels of the Science Research program. This year, she began a new role as the building’s Science Research Coordinator and has been mentoring seniors as they complete their independent research projects for the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition. Additionally, she is the co-advisor of Science Olympiad.

Melissa Jacobs. (Photo courtesy of Herricks Public Schools)

Ms. Jacobs has been at Herricks for 27 years and teaches AP World and AP US History. She also created and leads the Social Studies Research program and has facilitated partnerships with universities such as Cornell and NYU’s School of Global Affairs. She is an advisor for National History Day, Euro Challenge and Fed Challenge, works with the Fulbright in the Classroom organization, serves on the Board of Long Island History Day and is currently coordinating an international project with Taiwan. She will be completing her doctoral studies at Northeastern University in Research and Curriculum this spring and is writing her dissertation on Global Civic Engagement through Cross Peer Collaboration.

Award winners will receive a commemorative award, certificate, and letter that includes details from the student they were nominated by.

 

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