SUNDERLAND — For Sunderland Elementary School teacher Jodie Fraser, it’s all about connecting with the students where they’re at and fostering that relationship to help the kids grow emotionally and academically.

The veteran educator, who is in her 13th year of teaching in Sunderland after 11 years in Florida, said her philosophy in the classroom is to find the “positive in every kid,” which can then be used as a jumping-off point for a challenge that child may be facing, whether the issue is a classroom concept, a recess dispute or other troubles schoolchildren face.

For her work in connecting with students and serving as a strong collaborator with other staff, Fraser has been honored with a 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.

“To me, the most important thing is the relationships you build with kids and building a community within my classroom where everyone feels valued, feels respected and knows that it’s OK to make mistakes — that’s how we learn,” Fraser said. “It’s really knowing your kids and knowing what they need when there is a challenge, whether it is a challenging behavior or they’re struggling with a concept. That’s why building those relationships is so important because then you’ll know how to approach those challenges.”

On top of finding the positives in each student, Fraser’s classroom decor is also focused on positivity, with each student helping to draft and sign a “class constitution,” which lays out classroom rules and expectations, as well as a shout-out board, where students can write up a shout-out for one of their peers if they performed a kind act.

The award, also known as the Grinspoon Award, has been presented since 2003 thanks to the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation. Fraser and other winners throughout Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties will be honored at a banquet at The Log Cabin in Holyoke on April 30.

Sunderland Elementary School Principal Benjamin Barshefsky emphasized Fraser’s ability to connect to her students and said she is a valuable member of the staff.

“Mrs. Fraser is the consummate professional and deserves this recognition. She builds strong relationships with her students and creates a learning environment that allows all students to experience success,” Barshefsky said. “Her professional approach extends beyond the classroom, where she partners with colleagues and families. We are lucky to have her as a team member here at SES.”

Fraser, who is also the co-president of the Union 38 Educators Association, currently teaches fourth grade at Sunderland Elementary School, but she has also taught third and fifth grade in previous years. Fraser said she values all of the students she has had in her classes over the years.

“I consider myself very lucky and I consider any student I have, they’re always my students and they know they can come back and see me at any time and I’m always going to be there for them. They’re like my other kids,” Fraser said. “It’s the kids and it’s the relationships. That’s my favorite part about teaching and just getting to know a new group of kids each year.”

With nominations coming from her peers, Fraser said it is an honor for her fellow teachers to nominate her.

“I really feel like there are such tremendous teachers in Sunderland and all of Union 38, and I really think all of them deserve it,” Fraser said. “It meant a lot to me that it was voted on by peers.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.