HAVERHILL — Cherie Rousseau, a school adjustment counselor at Walnut Square Elementary School, was named 2024 Haverhill Educator of the Year at the Haverhill YMCA Educator of the Year award ceremony Wednesday night at the Renaissance Golf Club.
The night of recognition and celebration awarded the city’s classroom heroes for their dedication to helping youth.
Guests enjoyed the evening as anticipation built around which of the 16 nominees would be named educator of the year.
In addition to Rousseau, nominees included Becca Paul, Beth Sosa, Elingrace McAloon, Katherine Davis, Brandon Grant, Chris Gerber, Erin Dolan, Erin Paszko, Jessica Corkum, Joanne Baker, Mary Lasonde, Maureen Simmons, Melissa Sands, Noula Thibault, and Oscar Mendoza.
The ceremony opened with remarks from Haverhill YMCA’s Board President George Moriarty and a celebration in honor of John and Debra Maddox.
City Councilor Timothy Jordan presented the Commitment to Community award to the Maddox couple for their generous advocacy of the YMCA, summer learning programs, and other philanthropic efforts.
Haverhill YMCA’s Executive Director Tracy Fuller said each of the nominees were graded on three categories: youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living. Of the 16 educators, Rousseau received the highest rating across the rubric, which was judged by community members and the YMCA committee.
In addition to the award, she received 25 three-month youth memberships to the Haverhill YMCA for students, and a $500 donation to technology and supplies in the classroom.
The other nominees did not go home empty handed. Each of the 15 were given a city citation, a nominee award, and 10 three-month youth memberships for their students.
This is the 16th year the Haverhill YMCA has awarded and honored educators in the school district. The recognition applies to employees from preschool to college, celebrating school workers from Whittier Tech, Haverhill High School, Tilton Elementary School, and others.
“The purpose of this is to highlight the work that the Haverhill YMCA does in collaboration with partners to celebrate education,” Fuller said. “Much like the educators, we educate and nurture children as part of our mission.”