Chelsea Public Schools awarded three educators with Name, Strength and Story Awards at the School Committee meetings on March 27, 2025, and April 9, 2025.

CHELSEA, Mass. – Chelsea Public Schools awarded three educators representing Chelsea High School (CHS), the Wright Science and Technology Academy (WSTA) and the Early Learning Center (ELC) with Name, Strength and Story Awards at its regular School Committee meetings on March 27, 2025, and April 9, 2025. 

Morgan Grace (CHS), John Ruggiero (WSTA) and Stacey Gurska (ELC) were recognized with awards. Grace is an instructional coach while Ruggiero and Gurska are classroom teachers. The trio exemplify what it means to know students by name, strength and story. In their own unique ways, they go above and beyond to support students, ensure they feel welcomed at school and help prepare them for success in school and in life. 

Morgan Grace photographed with a Name Strength and Story Award alongside the Chelsea School Committee (March 27, 2025)

Grace received a Name, Strength and Story award in part due to her diligent work as an instructional coach to support the science department at Chelsea High School. She has created spaces where teachers feel empowered to collaborate, refine instructional approaches and feel supported to provide the best possible instruction for students.

Assistant Principal Jennifer Knight commented, “Your strategic and thoughtful leadership has strengthened our department by fostering collaboration and supporting teachers in implementing high-quality instructional practices.”

John Ruggiero photographed with a Name Strength and Story Award alongside the Chelsea School Committee (March 27, 2025)

A dedicated teacher at the Wright who is known to dedicate extra hours after school to support students’ learning, Mr. Ruggiero has impacted the lives of many Chelsea students. In addition to the content that he teaches in the classroom, Mr. Ruggiero is the advisor for the after school program “IDEAS in Medicine”, is a frequent chaperone and volunteer on field trips and dedicates his time during school vacations to teach at Chelsea High School’s Acceleration Academy.

A former student of his at the Wright shared the following about John: “I had a teacher in the seventh grade, his name was Mr. Ruggiero, and he was very cool and he always had a lot to say about higher education, and he also was very respectful towards people in that field. So it kind of I think passed on to me because now I think that people in the medical field or people with higher education are very cool.”

Stacey Gurska photographed with a Name Strength and Story Award alongside the Chelsea School Committee (April 9, 2025)

Gurska is a Pre-K teacher and works multiple days after school in the ELC's after school program for kindergarten and first grade students. She was born and raised in Chelsea, graduating from Chelsea High School. 

"Stacey takes the time to get to know her students by name, strengths, and story, ensuring she understands their interests, families, and backgrounds as much as possible. As a result, Stacey is well-equipped to motivate and engage her students in their social-emotional and academic learning," commented ELC Principal Margo DiBiasio.

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