Brookline educator wins award
Heads to Atlanta for national honor
A Brookline schoolteacher has been named “Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.’’
Marcy Prager, who teaches first and second grade at Michael Driscoll School, will be honored at the National Council for Social Studies annual awards conference this weekend in Atlanta. In addition to the designation, she will receive a $3,000 award for her efforts as a social studies teacher.
“It’s well deserved,’’ said William H. Lupini, superintendent of schools in Brookline. “Marcy is one of those people that you want your own children in her class. She brings such insight to what goes on in the classroom.’’
The award recognizes excellence among teachers who demonstrate the ability to develop and use instructional material creatively and effectively, the Council for Social Studies said in a statement yesterday.
“Marcy runs a high-energy and fast-paced classroom where every student has a secure place to learn and a stimulating lesson to work on,’’ said Jim Parziale, principal of the Driscoll School.
In Atlanta, Prager will demonstrate how she uses multimedia to teach her second-graders about the Hopi Native Americans. In a session called “The Art of Teaching Young Students Social Studies,’’ Prager will show how she combines question-and-answer, technology, and hands-on activities to make different cultures come alive.
“She’s truly a gifted teacher and just a great colleague,’’ Lupini said. “We were thrilled when we heard Marcy won this award.’’
Prager could not be reached for comment last night.
John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com 
