Jill Perkins MEd ’97

Teachers—they educate, nurture, and inspire their students, and rarely do they get the recognition they deserve. But Jill Perkins, who received her master’s degree in elementary education from Plymouth State in 1997, is one of the exceptions. The Plymouth Elementary School fourth-grade teacher has been named one of Wal-Mart’s New Hampshire Teachers of the Year for 2007.

More than 4,000 teachers are being honored nationwide this year by Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year program. Each store accepts nominations, and the winner is selected by a committee of store associates. Winners receive a plaque as well as a $1,000 educational grant for their schools and are eligible to apply for the state Teacher of the Year award.

Perkins noted that her education at Plymouth State prepared her well for the classroom, and she’s enjoying teaching more every year. She particularly delights in finding new ways to engage her students in learning. “I love being with children in this age group because they can do a lot on their own,” she said. “I like trying to teach [my students] individually, rather than as a group. This way, I’m making use of each student’s unique talents to help out in the classroom.”

While Perkins appreciates the recognition, the fact that it was her own students who nominated her for the honor is especially meaningful to her. “I was completely astonished,” she said.