Haverhill paraprofessional Nancy Burke received a Kale Blazer award from the Massachusetts Farm to School Program. (Courtesy photograph/Massachusetts Teachers Association)
Haverhill Public Schools paraprofessional Nancy Burke has long had a green thumb, and now the local educator has a kale blazer to go with it. Burke, a former Massachusetts Teachers Association Support Professional of the Year, has been recognized for her efforts to keep city schools green.
On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Farm to School Program celebrated Burke by naming her a 2018 Kale Blazer award recipient for her work teaching disabled students at Haverhill High how to garden and understand healthy food options. She received her honor during a ceremony at Boston’s Statehouse, held to coincide with Farm to School Awareness Day.
“Her small garden has grown into a garden half the size of a football field and has fostered the growth of a garden club made of up students with differing abilities and in different grades. She embodies leadership, commitment and dedication to all the good that comes from school garden,” the group said of Burke.
State Rep. Stephen Kulik and Lara Lepionika of Gloucester’s Backyard Growers were also honored with Kale Blazer awards Wednesday. The Massachusetts Farm to School program has presented the awards annually since its inception in 2004.
A well-deserved award.