Monomoy High School teacher Lizzie Sheptyck honored for Excellence in Teaching Secondary Social Studies 

Monomoy Regional High School teacher Lizzie Sheptyck has been awarded the William Spratt Award for Excellence in Teaching Secondary Social Studies from the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies. 

MRHS Principal Jennifer Police said, “Ms. Sheptyck creates a classroom environment where students not only learn, but actively engage with the content in authentic and meaningful ways. She sets high expectations for learning and empowers her students to master the skills necessary for success in any college or career setting.”

Each year, the MCSS presents Awards of Excellence in a variety of social studies areas to educators from across the Commonwealth. Teachers, administrators, and museum educators at all levels are eligible for recognition. The William Spratt Award for Excellence in Teaching Secondary Social Studies is awarded to high school teachers and is named after one of the earliest members of MCSS, Bill Spratt, who was a teacher and department chair at Whitman-Hanson High School and a Marine Corps veteran. Through his tireless work, MCSS grew into the leading professional organization for social studies in the state. 

“Every time I step into Ms. Sheptyck’s classroom, students are at the center of the learning,” said Lindsey Parker, Monomoy’s Humanities Curriculum Director for grades 5-12, who nominated her for this award. “Students in her classroom are collaborating, creating, inquiring, and seeking, and providing feedback to one another continuously. Her goal is clear: providing students with opportunities to practice important skills they can use once they graduate, including the preparedness needed to enact their civic responsibilities.” 

Parker added, “Aside from her impressiveness as a content expert and an educator, what I find to be most important is that students genuinely love Mrs. Sheptyck’s classes. Students are excited upon entering her room, and many are seen there during lunch or advisory time working or just gathering for a place to talk. She has created a safe space without sacrificing high expectations, and it’s evident that students are excited to be in her classes for this reason."

Sheptyck will be presented with her award in May at the MCSS Awards Ceremony.