Broadalbin-Perth High School English teacher Alycia Spraker is a recipient of this year’s New York State English Council Educator of Excellence Award. Spraker accepted this award during the council’s annual conference in Albany on Friday, Oct. 19 at a luncheon. The conference is for English educators from all around the state, and it usually gathers more than 400 people.
Award winners are first nominated by their schools, and then selected by the council.
“As a teacher, you do your job because you love it,” Spraker said. “I don’t think anyone does it to be recognized. Still, it is humbling to know I am someone worthy of receiving this award. It was validation that I am doing a good job, even though I feel like I receive that validation from the kids, and that’s what’s really important to me.”
The programs and awards supported by the council provide opportunities for professional leadership, promote excellence in English education, and foster collegiality and camaraderie among ELA educators throughout New York state.
Spraker has been teaching for 20 years, including 17 years at B-P. She received her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and her master’s degree from SUNY Albany.