King Philip Regional High School English Teacher Erin Nerlino Named Teacher of the Year Semifinalist 

Superintendent Paul Zinni and King Philip Regional High School Principal Dr. Lisa Mobley are pleased to share that English teacher Erin Nerlino has been selected as a 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year semifinalist.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program honors a Massachusetts teacher who exemplifies fine teaching in the Commonwealth. Nerlino was nominated for the program by Principal Mobley.

“Throughout her time at the high school, Erin has gone above and beyond for her students and colleagues,” Principal Mobley said. “She has an innate ability to form strong, lasting relationships with those that she teaches which allows her to tailor her lessons to each student’s unique needs and be a champion for them throughout their time at KP. She is extremely deserving of this recognition and I ask that you all join me in congratulating her.”

Nerlino has served as an English teacher at King Philip Regional High School since 2013. During this time, she has taught a variety of secondary English classes including sophomore and junior standard levels, junior and senior honors, and Advanced Placement Language and Composition.

She has revised curricula to include more works representative of different voices throughout the classes she teaches and proposed, developed and taught a new English elective, Exploring Social Issues, that aims to provide a space for students to explore, analyze, discuss, and reflect upon their own identities in conjunction with issues of oppression and social injustice in society.

Nerlino has also adapted anti-harassment bystander intervention training to a high school setting and presented the training with students at conferences and the MIAA/MSAA DEI Symposium.

Outside of the classroom, Nerlino serves as a mentor to new teachers within the district and as the founding advisor of the People of Prosperity, a club dedicated to supporting the needs and leadership aspirations of students of color.

Nerlino is also an accomplished researcher and presenter in her free time. She has been published several times including in the Educational Action Research, The Educational Forum and has presented at the American Education Research Association conference several times.

“I would like to extend kudos and congratulations to Erin on receiving this wonderful honor,” Superintendent Zinni said. “Anyone that knows Erin knows that this recognition is not a big surprise as she is extremely dedicated to her job and her students. Regardless of the official outcome, Erin is truly ‘Teacher of the Year’ in my book and I would like to thank her for all that she has done and continues to do for our students.”

The Teacher of the Year will serve as a liaison to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and as an ambassador to other teachers in the state. The finalist will be announced in Fall 2023.

“I am honored to be considered for this program among the many impressive educators throughout the state,” Nerlino said. “It has been a privilege to work and learn within the KP community for the past ten years, and I am especially grateful for the students, Dr. Mobley, and Mr. Zinni, who have been such formative parts in my development as an educator. ”

###