The School Committee announced Susan Breen and Kerrie Fraser as the two recipients of the Dorothy Presser Award at its last meeting.
The committee began peer-nominated the award in 2019 to recognize a district employee who has “demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing the Lynnfield School District,” School Committee Chair Kate DePirizio said. The committee received 11 nominations for this year’s award.
DePrizio read the peer-nominations for the award recipients.
Breen, a Lynnfield High School history teacher, was nominated by a former student.
“During any encounter, she’s quick to inquire and offer advice,” the nomination stated. “I believe it is safe to say at this point that she is a legend.”
Breen is an educator who makes LHS a “place where students feel safe, engaged, and appreciated,” the nomination stated.
Upon receiving the award, Breen said she had both of Presser’s sons as high school students.
“I’m very appreciative of this recognition. To be honest, I’m very humbled that I was even nominated,” she said. “It has been an absolute privilege to interact with so many incredible young people at critical times in their lives… Thank you for supporting and encouraging me. And, again, thank you so much for this award.”
Fraser, the music teacher at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School, received two nominations for the award.
One award was sent in by a peer who started as a substitute teacher for LPS in 2021.
“As a person unknown, she was so welcoming to me. I felt included and accepted by her kind words and welcoming personality,” the nomination stated.
The nomination shared a story of the teacher’s daughter singing Fraser’s ‘Hello’ song at the beach over the summer.
“Mrs. Fraser was on the beach that day and heard the song and stopped us and we realized that my daughter saw her and something connected,” the nomination stated. “Mrs. Fraser has done it all many times with a smile on her face, not because it’s part of her job, she does it and continually brings parents, teachers, and students together.”
“She is one of the most unselfish people I have ever met and is always willing to listen and hear all points of view with the most open mind,” the second nomination stated.
“I’m just grateful and I love what I do,” Fraser said upon receiving the award. “This feels tremendously special and I’m very honored.”
