In recognition for her excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession, the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) is proud to announce that the recipient of the 2025 NEARI Teaching Excellence Award is North Kingstown educator, Angela Boisclair. Boisclair will receive expenses-paid travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with other recipients from across the country to be recognized at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala held in February 2025.

Boisclair is a 36-year public school educator who believes in continuing to learn and develop skills in her professional practice for the benefit of her students and for the support of her colleagues. She has deep roots in North Kingstown, graduating from North Kingstown High School where she is currently a Reading Specialist.

“Student engagement is essential to successful skills development,” said Boisclair. “I learned early in my career that high interest material and subject matter with an overarching essential question is most effective in making a difference for adolescent learners.”

Boisclair says one of her more successful units of study over the years has been teaching the Holocaust through historical fiction, primary sources, testimony, and visits from survivors. For her distinction in teaching interdisciplinary units on the Holocaust, she received an award from the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. Teaching this material is what led to her dedication to teach more about diversity, equity, inclusion, and humanity.

“My commitment to DEI has only grown stronger over time resulting in my involvement in the District’s DEI subcommittee and Towards an Antiracist North Kingstown (TANK). We’ve made some concrete positive changes in policy like establishing late buses every day for middle and high school students so the opportunity to participate in after school clubs and sports or engage in academic support is possible for more students. We also established a scholarship through TANK for students of color graduating from North Kingstown High,” said Boisclair.

“None of this is possible without student voice – and really listening to students’ perspective about what they need. It is critical to this work,” she added.

“Ms. Boisclair played a crucial role in shaping my character and fostering an environment where I felt safe and cared for. She is a dedicated educator and continues to advocate for all of her students, past and present, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.” wrote one former student, now a sophomore in college, in a letter of support.

During her tenure at Davisville Middle School, Boisclair organized and facilitated, “Community Awareness Nights,” a themed showcase of student work for Grade 6 (Civil Rights), Grade 7 (Japanese Internment), and Grade 8 (Holocaust). The evening event included veterans, Holocaust survivors and community members as guest speakers, and activities such as drumming and origami, as well as student presentations and projects.

Boisclair has dedicated countless hours as an advisor to student groups like the Student Leadership Team, the Racial Equity Alliance, and a SafeBAE chapter to protect against sexual assault. This is her third year volunteering for the We Are ALL Readers festival of literacy and diverse books by diverse authors, which will be held this year on Saturday, April 6.

In addition to teaching, advising, and volunteering, Boisclair is an active member of her union at the local, state, and national level. She has served for more than 30 years on the NEA North Kingstown executive board in multiple positions, currently as secondary grievance chair. She is a member of the NEA Rhode Island executive committee serving as a regional vice-president and a member of the Racial & Social Justice Committee.

Boisclair is a frequent attendee and leader in the NEARI Professional Development Program, organizing and facilitating sessions, workshops, discussions, and book talks. She credits her PD involvement with not only making her a better teacher, but a better colleague; collaborating on shared interests and professional goals, maintaining an open mind and welcoming new ideas to incorporate into her practice.

“Students benefit from teachers who return from professional development rejuvenated by fresh ideas,” Boisclair said.

Boisclair has also been a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, representing the three million members of the NEA, since 2019.

“My participation in the NEA Representative Assembly has given me a wider view of the profession on a national level. Advocating for NEA’s foundational beliefs of a free public education for ALL students, freedom to teach, freedom to learn, freedom to read, and freedom to question.

“As part of my advocacy for these beliefs, I have taken

on more responsibility at the local level, which enables me to hold one-on-one conversations with colleagues, facilitate and participate in building meetings, work on political action in support of local candidate who support public education, and more,” said Boisclair.

“Angela’s work both in the classroom and with her union continuously promotes literacy and diversity. It is during the school day, at night, and on weekends because it is who she is: a true champion for all students,” said Sue Warburton of her colleague and union sister.

Candidates were required to submit letters of support as well as a written statement demonstrating their commitment to professional practice; advocacy for the profession; commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; depth of family and community engagement; and leadership in professional development. Boisclair was selected from a pool of applicants by a committee of NEARI officers and members.

About the National Education Association Rhode Island

The National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) is a union and professional organization with a proud history of serving Rhode Island since 1845. NEARI is 12,000 members strong, we are classroom teachers; education support professionals; higher education faculty, staff, and graduate assistants; municipal and state workers; and retirees. We are affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA) and RI AFL-CIO. Learn more at www.neari.org.

About the NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation (NEAF) is an independent national philanthropic organization founded by educators to promote the absolute best in public education. For more than five decades, the Foundation has championed and funded educator-led initiatives and innovation, resulting in measurable and sustained improvements in public education. The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize, reward, and promote both excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. NEAF and National Education Association (NEA) present the awards jointly.

All Awards for Teaching Excellence recipients receive expenses-paid travel to Washington, DC, for The NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala; the 2025 gala will be held in February 2025. The five awardees selected for the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence receive $10,000 in cash each plus expenses-paid travel to the Gala for themselves and 1 guest. The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, who is selected from the five Horace Mann awardees, receives $25,000 in cash and a commemorative gift. Learn more at www.neafoundation.org.