CAVERLY AWARD

Since 1984, the Ernest R. Caverly Award has been presented to Brookline educators in recognition of professional achievements and contributions to the Brookline Public Schools. Two awards are given annually: one to a high school educator and one to an elementary school educator. The educators receiving the awards are designated as Ernest R. Caverly Associates in recognition of their dedication to the ideals of Dr. Ernest R. Caverly, a distinguished public school leader, educator, and Brookline Schools Superintendent (1931–1964).

Complete List of Ernest R. Caverly Award Winners

Current Caverly Award Winners

In 2010, the Brookline Education Foundation was proud to honor the following outstanding exemplars of Excellence in Teaching:

BERNARD PENDLETON

Bernard Pendleton’s love of art and his strong connection to students have greatly impacted the Heath School community, where he has taught for over 30 years. Pendleton Is, according to Heath principal Milly Katzman, “a great art teacher and, more importantly, he is a great teacher of children.”

Lovingly referred to as “Mr. P” by students and adults alike, Pendleton uses art to nurture critical thinking and to encourage student curiosity, risk taking, collaboration, and respect for others.  With more than 450 children at Heath, “he can tell you something unique about each youngster,” reports a colleague.

Pendleton’s influence begins with a child’s first project in kindergarten and intensifies as he/she grows.  He has inspired gifted children to become successful artists and helps even the most vulnerable child gain self-confidence. 

Pendleton shies away from the limelight and prefers to “work backstage.” He expresses surprise at his Caverly nomination, stating that taking extra time to get to know each child is part of his job as a teacher. But, as a fellow Heath teacher notes, “Bernie will say he is just doing his job; his students tell you he does so much more.”

ELON FISCHER

Elon Fischer likens teaching to alchemy - the quest to turn basic ingredients into gold - and deems it “the greatest of intellectual challenges.” It’s about “producing shiny, glimmering gold, even if gold isn’t what’s on the MCAS or the SATs, or the state frameworks,” he says. “It’s about “look[ing] at the potential gold inside each of our students and try[ing] to figure out the formula, the spell, the incantation that just might bring it alive.”

Fischer’s contributions to Brookline High School are numerous and far-reaching. During his 14 year tenure as an English teacher, he has developed a public speaking course, spearheaded digitization of the English Department curriculum, and served as webmaster for the school’s website. He also has created and implemented original curriculum for the African-American Scholars Program.

Colleagues praise him as  “a great teacher and scholar.” A former student describes him as bringing “to his class and his subject the irresistible quality of passion.” And parents express appreciation for his determination to “meet the needs of all students.” All recognize Fischer’s golden touch with students. Clearly, the “alchemy” is working.

Nomination Form

Caverly Award Nomination Information