Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has honored 10 area teachers with the sixth annual RMHC Local Hero Awards. The selected teachers from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts have all exhibited tremendous dedication to their profession and outstanding efforts in servicing their schools and communities.
Among those honored with the prestigious award include Deborah Costello, who is an Art Teacher at Canton Intermediate School. She and the other Local Hero Award recipients were honored by the RMHC Board of Directors at a reception at The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford on Wednesday, November 28. Each honoree was presented with a plaque commemorating their award as well as a $1,000 grant for their respective school.
“Our board of directors is proud to acknowledge these exceptional teachers for their tireless commitment and important service,” said Laura Phillips Ward, President of RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. “Our RMHC chapter awards grants to local nonprofits that provide a brighter future for children, with a particular focus on supporting education. With the Local Hero Awards, we are able to thank the devoted professionals who help children everyday – our outstanding area teachers.”
There is no application or nomination process for the RMHC Local Hero Awards. Instead, the local charity works closely with partnering organizations, such as the Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut State Department of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Education, to identify these "Heroes" throughout the region.
Deb Costello has been teaching art at Canton Intermediate School for more than 10 years. With an interdisciplinary approach to art education, Mrs. Costello is continually challenging her students to express their creativity and encourages them to do their personal best. As a result, the school art show each May could rival any professional art showing, displaying a wide range of techniques her students have learned for the more than 500 students, families, staff, and community members in attendance.
Mrs. Costello is active in making art accessible for everyone – coordinating school-wide opportunities around topics such as Black History Month; serving on the school Quality Council and taking a lead role in the Art/Culture Subcommittee to secure grants that will bring art forms to the school for enrichment; and helping to launch the “Empty Bowl” fundraiser, an evening of art, soup, and community awareness to support the local food bank.
It is this dedication that has earned her numerous awards, including the 2010 Connecticut Art Education Association’s Outstanding Art Elementary Teacher of the Year; semi-finalist for the 2011 State of Connecticut Teacher of the Year; 2011-2012 CAS Middle Level Exemplary Educator of the Year; and the 2011-2012 Canton Teacher of the Year. In addition to being a 19-year veteran of teaching, Mrs. Costello is also an accomplished artist, and as a professional potter, is a member of the Norfolk Artisans Guild.
RMHC was pleased to recognize Mrs. Costello with the Local Hero Award, and Canton Intermediate School Principal Kevin Hanlon notes that the grant money from the award will be put to good use with Mrs. Costello’s input.
Since 1988, RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has provided more than $6 million to over 400 non-profit organizations, helping thousands of area children lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. RMHC and its global network of local chapters in over 50 countries and regions have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services supporting children worldwide. For more information about RMHC visit www.rmhc-ctma.org or connect at www.facebook.com/rmhc.ctma.
