First Grade Teacher at Westmoreland Road Elementary School is Teacher of the Year

ConFROGulations are in order for Paula Candella, a first grade teacher at Westmoreland Road Elementary.  She's been named the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York 2012 Teacher of the Year. 

Mrs. Candella, a resident of Marcy, has taught first grade at Westmoreland Road Elementary School for 11 years. Recognizing that many families don’t regularly practice fire safety plans at home, she has developed lesson plans that incorporate FASNY fire prevention and safety lessons.

She plays a vital role in the school’s Team Risk Watch and received the Learning Disabilities Association Teacher Certificate of Award for Excellence in 2007-2008.

Mrs. Candella’s father was a volunteer firefighter for 52 years and her older brother for 30, both in Whitesboro. Her husband has been a career firefighter for 18 years in Utica. She was nominated for this honor by Whitesboro Fire Chief Peter Sobel and FASNY Director Brian F. McQueen.

She'll be recognized during a ceremony at the school tomorrow morning.