The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) selected Oyster Bay High School English teacher Lydia Brady as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction, a special program of the National Society of High School Scholars that honors educators worldwide.
Brady was nominated for this distinction by OBHS Class of 2015 graduate Francis Kalombo-Ngoy.
“There are many educators in my high school journey who are highly qualified to be educators of distinction in the well-respected Oyster Bay East Norwich School District,” wrote Kalombo-Ngoy in his nomination letter. “However, there is one educator in particular who has been there for me not only for her class related assignments, but for assignments in all my high school classes. That wonderful and passionate English educator is Ms. Lydia Brady.”
Brady was his English teacher in 11th grade, a teacher who he said always pushed him to do his best on his papers and to write to the best of his ability. Currently, she teaches his college essay writing class.
“She has always been there and was very supportive to me in and out the classroom,” said Kalomba-Ngoy. “She has passion for teaching and seeing her students succeed beyond high school; that is the greatest gift an educator can give to a student.”
The NSHSS Chairman, Claes Nobel had this to say about Brady, “This honor is presented to you because of your significant contribution to your students’ academic careers, your leadership as a role model and source of inspiration, and your lasting influence on the lives of students.
“The Educator of Distinction program embraces my family’s tradition of recognizing world class minds and supports the vision of NSHSS to connect its members with meaningful content, resources and opportunities to help them build on their academic success by developing the skills and motivation needed to have a positive impact on the global community,” said Nobel.
“This honor is presented to [teachers] because of their significant contribution to students’ academic careers, leadership as a role model and source of inspiration and lasting influence on the lives of students.”
The Supervisor of the English Language Arts Department, Dr. Valerie Vacchio, said, ”A champion of all children, Ms. Brady is the heart and soul of the Oyster Bay High School English Language Arts Department. Each and every student who is fortunate to have had Ms. Brady as an English teacher is challenged and supported to achieve excellence. I am honored to call Ms. Brady my thought partner and dear friend. Thank you, Ms. Brady for 10 amazing years of service to the students of OBHS. I am ever grateful.”
