Fifth-grade teacher Linda Armour is the recipient of the NYS Board of Regents 2007 Better Beginnings Award.

The award, celebrating the life and career of local educator Helen Bach Moss, recognizes elementary teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student. The award recognizes early childhood education as the most effective investment for long-term educational success.

"I am in awe of how Linda effectively engages children with well thought out, creative instruction," said Elementary School Principal Dr. Katie O'Brien. "Students blossom under her guidance and support."

Currently a fifth-grade teacher, Armour has been teaching in the Duanesburg Central School District since 1985. She dedicates much of her time after-school and on weekends to plan lessons and is a great asset to the school district.

Each year, Armour helps run the annual spelling bee for students in grades 4-8 and the annual Duanesburg Days community-wide event celebrating the region's local heritage and student projects. This year, Armour and three other teachers collaborated with the Mohawk Valley Library System to create the very first music literacy night.   

Additionally, she has spearheaded numerous fundraising campaigns for those in need; bringing community members, students and even those living at a distance, together. Armour initiated the "Change for Change" campaign raising more than $5,000 to purchase 100 fishing boats for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. She has brought the community together numerous other times sewing quilts for hurricane victims and helping local families in need. She helped raise funds for a local family involved in a horrible car accident last year and again this year for a local dairy farm that lost a barn and livestock.

"Linda is an exemplary elementary education teacher," O'Brien said. "She is insightful, caring, compassionate and passionate about children, our local and global community. She makes a huge difference in the lives of students, families and staff at Duanesburg." 

Armour will be awarded with a cash prize of $1,000 and a framed certificate from representatives of the New York State Education Department during a special ceremony on Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. in the Duanesburg Elementary School Library. Speakers include fifth-grade student Tara Nunez, Elementary Principal Katie O'Brien, math teacher Jean Kwiatkwoski and the Music Mobile's Ruth Pelham.