Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship

The Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship program strives to raise public awareness about the value of excellence in education and to retain good teachers in New Hampshire’s North Country and in Essex County, VT. This award is made to up to three teachers each year.

The fellowship was established in 2006 by Louise Tillotson, a self-made businesswoman, wife of Neil Tillotson (founder of the Tillotson Corporation and former owner of The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel), and resident of Dixville Notch.

Eligibility

Any kindergarten through 12 grade public school teacher who works in New Hampshire’s North Country Region (upper Grafton and Carroll Counties and Coos County) and in Essex County, VT is eligible to be nominated. Preference is given to teachers in Coos County public schools.
Evaluation criteria
In general, the selection committee uses the following criteria in evaluating a candidate:
- Commitment to Public Education – The applicant’s commitment to serve public education in their school and community.
- Breadth of Experience – The extent and nature of the applicant’s past and present public education service and commitment to continued professional learning.
- Innovation in Education – The applicant’s ability to implement a creative and imaginative educational atmosphere for North Country students.
- Creativity in Solving Problems – The applicant’s ability to bring ideas and inspire proactive solutions to resolve educational challenges.
- Communication Skills – The applicant’s ability to articulate their educational vision, knowledge of content, and teaching methodology with passion.
- Inspiration – The applicant’s ability to inspire and challenge the current and next generation of educators and students in the North Country.
Grant amount

Each fellow receives a cash award, typically from $10,000 to $15,000, to be used at his or her discretion.
Previous recipients

2023:

Marc Salmin, Art Teacher, White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield

Gail McVetty, 3^rd Grade Teacher, Lancaster Elementary School, Lancaster

2022:

Christina Noyes, Music Teacher, Littleton School District, Littleton

David Morrissette, Social Studies Teacher, Gorham High School, Gorham

2021:

Tina Mooney, Kindergarten Teacher, Whitefield Elementary School, Whitefield

Eugene Reid, Building Construction and Restoration Carpentry Instructor, Canaan Schools, VT

Martina Macakova, World Languages Instructor, White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield

2020:

Patti Dugan-Henriksen, Middle School Science Teacher, Groveton High School, Groveton

Erica Hicks, Math Teacher, White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield

Keri Wade, Science Teacher, Gorham Middle High School, Gorham

2019:

Melissa Jellison, White Mountains Regional High School, life-science teacher

Kate Moore, Brown Elementary School, second-grade teacher

Deborah Sargent, Pittsburg School, art educator

2018:

Lisa Pike, Edward Fenn Elementary School in Gorham, fourth-grade teacher

Lisa Morse, Milan Village School in Milan, fifth- and sixth-grade teacher

Jeannine LaBounty, White Mountains Regional High School, teacher leader

Patricia Hood, Berlin High School, health teacher and Youth Leadership Through Adventure advisor

2017:

Kari L. Goulet, Milan Village School, sixth-grade teacher

Matthew Saladino, Gorham Middle High School, School Counselor and teacher

Susan Griffin, Brown Elementary School in Berlin, second-grade teacher

2016:

Sarah W. Clemmitt, Gorham Middle High School, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science teacher

Patricia Weathers, Edward Fenn Elementary School, fourth-grade teacher

Ann Elise Record, Grades K-5 Berlin elementary schools, Title 1 Match Coach

2015:

Alicia W. Boire, Colebrook Academy, Business Education teacher

Sandy J. Pouliot, Hillside Elementary School, fifth-grade teacher

Lorna Holcombe, Groveton Elementary School, Reading and Math K-5 teacher

2014:

Cate DiBlasi, The Whitefield School, Special Education teacher

Michele C. Ladd, Lancaster Elementary School, sixth-grade teacher

Mary G. Trask, Colebrook Academy, Physical Education/Health teacher

2013:

Rob Hamel, Gorham High School, English teacher

Karen LaRoche, White Mountains Regional High School, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher

Tricia Walsh, Edward Fenn Elementary School, first-grade teacher
Nomination deadline

For 2024, the Charitable Foundation will not be accepting applications for the Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship.

As part of the implementation of Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund’s new strategic plan, Foundation staff will be working with past fellowship recipients, plus other North Country educators and nonprofit partners to align the Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship with the Tillotson Fund’s vision and principles, and determine the structure of the fellowship going forward.

Learn more

Nomination Process

Step 1

Learn more about the program and determine eligibility.

Step 2

Colleagues complete and submit a nomination form with supporting materials. Complete and submit the nomination form to nominate an individual for the Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship.

A complete nomination will include:

A completed nomination form
Three letters of support, each from a different person, in support of the nominee
A copy of a recent resume, curriculum vitae, or biography of the candidate

Step 3

Advisory committee reviews nominations.

A volunteer advisory committee and members of the Foundation staff review applications.

Step 4

Invitation for a personal interview.

A number of finalists will be invited to a personal interview with the advisory committee. Interviews are scheduled in May.

Step 5

Receive funding.

Final award recipients will be notified in mid-May.

Nomination Process

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