While all Roycemore teachers make an incredible impact, we acknowledge one very special teacher at Upper School Commencement each year with the Elinor Rice Fuchs Award. 

As the Roycemore drama teacher, "Ricey" devoted long hours after school to guide the rehearsal of wonderful plays, to listen to her students, and to offer wise counsel with a healthy mixture of laughter and gravitas. The school has chosen to honor these twin attributes of promoting excellence and building special relationships with students by identifying an Elinor Rice Fuchs Distinguished Teacher each year.

In order to be eligible for the award, a member of the faculty (not administration) must have taught at Roycemore for a minimum of five years and must not have received the award in any of the last five years.

The committee of faculty members had a very brief meeting this year to select a recipient for this award, and they all simply agreed that the decision was obvious, deserved, and truly representative of the characteristics of a great Roycemore teacher and our Portrait of an Educator. This teacher is known for holding high academic standards and expectations for excellence. She is also the architect of a kind, caring, and inclusive classroom community. Every student in her class understands that we hold high expectations because we care, and the demands of their subject area require an inquisitive, thoughtful, and repeatable approach.

This teacher is quick to pitch in and always puts the students first — not just her current students, but every Roycemore student in our PreK-12th grade community. She can be found cheering on our students at after school athletic events, and advocating for their success in team meetings. When visiting her classroom, you will see and hear clear evidence of her content knowledge, as well as her familiarity and positive professional relationship with each student.

Congratulations to Upper School science teacher Shannon Henry, this year’s Elinor Rice Fuchs Distinguished Teacher!