AMHERST — Elliott Kelly, an Amherst Regional Middle School math and science teacher, did not expect to win his school’s educator of the year award.
When he found out at a faculty meeting at the end of the year, Kelly was shocked.
“I was speechless,” Kelly said. “There were a lot of people nominated, and the nomination had gone through all the people in that room. That was the really touching part of it.”
Kelly received the award because of his dedication to his work, his students and his colleagues, according to the ARMS Parent Guardian Organization that started handing out the award in 2015.
In addition to his dedication, Kelly is known for his cheerfulness with students and his willingness to provide extra help, the ideas and perspectives he offers and his calm perspective even when challenges arise.
Most teachers at the school only teach one subject, but this past year, when the school needed it, Kelly took on the role of teaching both seventh grade math and science.
“It’s harder to teach more than one subject but I volunteered to do it,” Kelly said. “I have the credentials to do both, and it seemed like the most fair thing to do.”
This is the third year the ARMS Parent Guardian Organization has given out the award. The PGO bases the award on three main criteria: student support, collaboration with colleagues and contributions to the ARMS community.
The award process started in April when parents, students and staff were invited to submit nominations. After 12 teachers were nominated, fellow staff members held a vote to decide the three finalists. The PGO Educator Award Committee made the final decision with additional input from an evaluator from Family Outreach of Amherst.
Kelly received a $500 award. His name will also be engraved on the Educator Award Plaque in the middle school’s library.
“It really is an honor to realize that my colleagues felt this way,” Kelly said. “It’s been a real boost to my confidence.”