Heather Vonada was named the Vermont-NEA Angelo J. Dorta Teacher of the Year

Heather Vonada was named the Vermont-NEA Angelo J. Dorta Teacher of the Year, which means she will also advance to the national level competition for the NEA Awards for Teaching Excellence. She was recognized at their recent Representative Assembly on March 29, and they are pleased to have her representing Vermont nationally in the coming year.

Heather was recommended by Mountain Views Education Association President, Stephen Stuntz, who had glowing remarks about Heather’s commitment to her students.

Ms. Vonada has shown her expertise in all levels of mathematics and has worked to make her classes both challenging and inclusive for students of all learning styles, including advanced students and those who may need additional instruction and support. Ms. Vonada has a relatable and engaging teaching style which forces all students to engage and keeps an appropriately high standard. She helps all students meet that standard by putting in extra time with individual and small groups of students both before and after school, during the elective ARE time and even during her lunch period.  Further demonstrating her commitment to students is her work running the local student/teen center each weekend, organizing fun and engaging activities and growing the program to be a healthy place that students want to be. In addition to her work with students in both upper and lower level math classes and at the teen center, Ms. Vonada is a valued colleague and professional. She has worked as the Department Head of the HS/MS Mathematics Department working to align the curriculum with Common Core standards and to make sure we have a scope and sequence to cover all students’ needs, including several AP level math classes. She has worked on the Math Equity Committee, working to make sure there are equal opportunities for all students in our district. She has achieved National Board Certification as well as being recognized as the VT Outstanding Mathematics Teacher, the UVM Outstanding Teacher of the Year and the Presidential Award for Excellence. For these and numerous other reasons, Heather Vonada is the Vermont recipient of the Anthony J. Dorta Award for Teaching Excellence.

Angelo J Dorta Award for Teaching Excellence

An honor bestowed annually to celebrate teaching excellence, public education, and our

Vermont-NEA believes that all students deserve the highest quality education and that the single most essential ingredient is a caring, competent, and qualified teacher who is supported by skilled and committed school support staff. Expert teachers who understand both the subjects they teach and the children they teach make the most important difference in student achievement.

Therefore, Vermont-NEA will select and honor one of its active members each year in order to celebrate teaching excellence, public education, and our dedicated school workforce. The Angelo J. Dorta Award for Teaching Excellence will be presented annually.

The Award, which carries with it a $1,000 cash prize, will recognize, reward, and promote excellence in public school teaching and underscore high standards of service to students and to the teaching profession.

The winner will represent Vermont in the national competition for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, which pays the winner $25,000.

The Award: 

A $1,000 cash award, recognition at the annual Vermont-NEA Awards Luncheon during the Association’s Representative Assembly, and submission of the awardee’s nomination materials to the NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education for national consideration as Vermont’s nominee that year for the annual NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.

Selection Process: 

Selection of the award recipient will be made at the state level by the Angelo J. Dorta Teaching Excellence Award Selection Committee, comprised of two statewide officers, two Board Directors, and two local affiliate teacher leaders/members. Finalists also may be asked to provide additional information and materials.

Nominations are judged according to the criteria listed below:

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: The awardee demonstrates expertise, creativity, and innovation in providing rich learning opportunities for students. The awardee uses a variety of strategies to effectively address students’ different learning styles and needs. 

ADVOCACY FOR THE PROFESSION: The awardee is a current, active member of the local, state, and/or national education association, and has assumed leadership roles at one or more of these levels. The awardee is an active member of other professional organizations and engages in activities that advance the profession and public education. The awardee is a strong, effective spokesperson for students, educators, and the profession. 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE: The awardee works to provide a safe, supportive learning environment that meets the needs of all students, regardless of differences. The awardee recognizes and explicitly addresses the full array of values, cultures, and experiences represented in our diverse modern society, through interactions with students. 

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The awardee actively engages families to support student learning and success. The awardee is intentional in engaging the community to enhance student learning and success. 

LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The awardee continually engages in experiences to improve his or her practice and to gain new skills and knowledge. The awardee shares this new learning with colleagues in effective ways. The awardee’s participation in and commitment to professional development has a visible impact on their students, institution, and community.