Educator Resources
Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award
The award, which is sponsored by the Board of Regents, celebrates the life and career of Helen Bach Moss, a NYS educator who passed away in 1988. Mrs. Moss touched the lives of many people, and her career was distinguished by a genuine respect for and love of children. She was ever caring toward students and their parents and acted as a worthy role model in all of her endeavors. Her family and friends petitioned the Board of Regents to establish a memorial fund and provided an endowment to award a cash stipend of $1,000 to an elementary teacher. This award competition recognizes early childhood education as the most effective investment for long-term educational success.
Nomination Information
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The spirit of the award, is that better beginnings make for stronger completions. It strives to recognize elementary teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers, and administrators. The awardee is honored at an award ceremony held at the discretion of the local school community. Nominees must be teachers currently teaching at the elementary level (N-6) and appropriately credentialed in New York State, who are skilled at engaging young minds and developing nurturing relationships with elementary school students.
Current and Past Better Beginnings Awardees
- The 2009 awardee is Ms. Lisa Napper, from Saranac Elementary School. The award presentation ceremony was held at the school on November 2nd, with Regent James C. Dawson (whose region covers Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties), Dr. Michael Moss, the award sponsor, and Mr. David Lovell, the award administrator, in attendence with Ms. Napper, the 2009 BBA selectee.
Additional BBA Information
Contact Information
Teacher Development Programs Unit
New York State Education Department
5 North, Education Building
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-4661
E-mail: tdpr@mail.nysed.gov