FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Alumnus Christopher Fray has been chosen by the Board of Education as the 2008 W
estport Teacher of the Year.
Fray, who graduated from Sacred Heart University’ School of Education in 1996, is a teacher at Staples High School in Westport, where he has taught courses in computers, American government, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
An anonymous committee including at least one past Teacher of the Year selected Fray among a competitive field of eight nominees.
A specialist in foreign language, Fray speaks five languages: Spanish, French, Russian, English and Mandarin Chinese. He currently teaches the latter at the high school.
Fray is also a faculty advisor for the Gay/Straight Alliance at Staples High School and returns twice a year to Sacred Heart University to speak with the Education Department on gay and lesbian issues in the classroom.
“A driving factor in my resolve to give back to Sacred Heart has to do with members of the teaching staff,” he said.
Fray said Dr. Sondra Melzer, an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University, has had a profound impact on his success adding that her approach in the field of teaching has deeply influenced his teaching style.
“In addition to overcoming daunting challenges, this veteran, master teacher (Melzer) continues to inspire hundreds of educators through her erudition and through her example,” Fray said.
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