DPS NEWS RELEASE
September 8, 2022
DEDHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATE THREE STAFF MEMBERS WITH ANNUAL AWARDS HONORING SPIRIT AND DEDICATION TO THE DISTRICT
DEDHAM, MA - During the annual Dedham Public Schools staff opening day remarks on September 1, 2022, three members of the school faculty and staff were recognized for their exemplary spirit and dedication to the schools and the students of Dedham. These annual awards are a long standing Dedham tradition, with colleagues and leadership staff nominating and voting on the winners. Congratulations to the three award winners - Oakdale Grade 5 Teacher, Sabrina Weldon; Riverdale Grade 5 Teacher, Charlotte Sullivan; and DPS COVID-19 Coordinator, Emily Kadehjian.
Sabrina Weldon, a grade 5 teacher at Oakdale Elementary School, was awarded the Dee Meloski Award in recognition of her enthusiasm for teaching all students and her passion for the profession. The award, nominated and voted on by building and District colleagues, is given to educators who are in their first 3 years of teaching. Weldon was honored for her ability to create meaningful relationships with her learners and understands the unique interests that excite them about education. In presenting the award, Oakdale Principal, Kim Hermesch, noted that Weldon “brings her own creative flair to her classroom, making a space that invites curiosity, joy and comfort. It quite literally is the most beautiful classroom you’ve ever seen!.” Weldon was commended for helping students find their voice, working as the mentor for the Oakdale grade 5 student council, where under her guidance students led multiple assemblies, started school wide initiatives and built a “beyond spectacular” Flag Day float.
Dedham Public School COVID-19 Coordinator, Emily Kadehjian, was honored with the Shad Araby Award, given in recognition of a member of the DPS support staff whose contributions to the school go beyond the call of duty. The award is given in honor of lifelong Dedham resident and DPS custodian Shad Araby, who left a legacy of welcome, support and volunteering far beyond his official role. Kadehjian was recognized for her dedicated hard work, perseverance, organization, outreach, early and late hour efforts to ensure that staff and students understood and were all safely tested for COVID. ECEC Principal Kim Taylor presented the award, saying “Our pooled testing program would not have been successful without the extraordinary effort that she put forth and extended far beyond the job description.... We would be remiss not to extend a huge thank you and commendation to Emily.”
Charlotte Sullivan, a grade 5 teacher at Riverdale, was honored with the Ed Kelley Award which celebrates staff members who go above and beyond. Ed Kelley was a former DPS educator and administrator known for his dedication, compassion, insight and integrity. Sullivan was nominated by Principal Ed Paris, for her ability to see the best in all students, even when those students have a hard time seeing the best in themselves. Paris, in presenting the award, commended Sullivan for her ability to “repeatedly see success and growth with the varying abilities that make up the modern day classroom” and for her commitment to holding all students to the same high expectations and making sure to find access points for all her students.
