Berthoud High School English teacher Brendan Gallagher has earned the Pearson Prentice Hall Leadership Development Award for 2008-2009. The award, which was created by the National Council of Teachers of English and funded by Pearson Prentice Hall publishers, is given to one early-career English teacher in each state who has already demonstrated professional leadership. Gallagher is Colorado’s recipient.

Currently in his second year at BHS, Gallagher was nominated for the award by retired BHS English teacher Stu Boyd, who served as Gallagher’s mentor last year. In his nomination Boyd stated, “I have been impressed with every aspect of Brendan’s instructional performance. His standards-based lessons have consistently revealed careful planning and preparation. He is adept in the use of multiple instructional strategies and a variety of assessment types.”

Boyd went on to add, “For a first-year teacher, his classroom management is characteristic of someone who has taught many years…In addition to leadership in curriculum development in the building and district, he has acted as teacher leader in Web page training and contributed to the organization, goal development, and purpose of the school’s Professional Learning Community. He has also provided training for individuals in media literacy and technology in the classroom and has educated administrators regarding the use of technology to enhance instruction.”

Along with other state winners, Gallagher was honored on Sunday, Nov. 23 at the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention in San Antonio, Texas.