Salem Saltonstall Teacher Honored With Margaret Voss Howard Recognition Award

SALEM, MA — A Saltonstall School first-grade teacher who began her career as a paraprofessional and is now on the verge of a master's degree was recently honored as Salem's Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Recognition Award winner for 2025.

The MVH Teacher Recognition Award is presented annually to two educators — each in the Salem and Marblehead school districts — representative of the excellent, dedicated teachers of each community.

Grundy was honored at an assembly by former Saltonstall principal Dr. Margaret Howard, founder of the award, and received a cash award of $1,000. Katherine (Katie) Amare, an educator at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School, was named the recipient for Marblehead.

"I was absolutely surprised to hear I was the recipient of the Margaret Voss Howard Award," said Ms. Grundy. "My children were students at Saltonstall when Dr. Howard was principal. I know how much Dr. Howard dedicated her life to education and to Salem. I am grateful for the recognition from my colleagues. I am overwhelmed by their kindness and the time they spent writing their nomination letters."

Grundy began her career as a paraprofessional who then earned her early education teacher license. She has also earned her English as a Second Language (ESL) license and is in the final stages of completing studies for her master's degree.

"Michelle Grundy is a long time Saltonstall educator who is dedicated to her students and Saltonstall School as a whole," said Saltonstall Principal Bethann Jellison." She is always willing to step up and take on leadership roles that support the Saltonstall vision. She continues to adapt her practice to better meet the needs of her students.

"Michelle cares deeply about the academic achievement and social-emotional well-being of all her students. She is an invaluable member of the Saltonstall community."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)