Recently established through the Oakwood Schools Foundation, both the Kathryn Chamberlain Student Scholarship Award and the Kathryn Chamberlain Teacher Leadership Award seek to honor the life and legacy of Kathryn (Iams) Chamberlain who, at her 1966 graduation from Oakwood High School, sang a solo, shared a prize in a violin competition and was named class Valedictorian. After High School, Kathryn continued to excel in her studies earning a Bachelor of Music degree Magna Cum Laude, a Master of Music degree with thesis, teaching certificates in Music, Elementary and Middle School education and a Master of Education degree in Instruction and Administration of Reading. After moving to Chelmsford, MA, Kathryn taught sixth grade math and science for over 20 years, during which time she initiated and served for ten years as Music Director of middle school musical theater performances and recruited another teacher to serve as Stage Director. She was elected for two consecutive three-year terms as President of the Chelmsford Federation of Teachers.
Oliver, in recognition of his wife’s life-long dedication to music, teaching, and arts administration, worked with OSF to create two unique opportunities for community members to demonstrate their passion for the arts and leadership as teachers, while simultaneously celebrating his late beloved wife’s passion for continuing education and inspiring educators as leaders.
The Scholarship Award seeks to support a graduating senior from Oakwood High School who, like Kathryn, shares a love of the performing arts by their participation in choir, band, orchestra or theater, and who has demonstrated leadership qualities both in and out of the classroom.
The Teacher Leadership Award seeks to honor a teacher who, also like Kathryn, demonstrates leadership qualities through devising, leading and sharing a special project. This award includes public recognition, a $1,000 award to the teacher and a subsidy that will provide support to the school or department in which the project takes place. This annual award will officially be announced soon, along with more details and award criteria. Teachers will submit applications via the OSF website at oakwoodschoolsfoundation.org when the process opens in the new year.
It is through these awards that the Chamberlain family seek to honor Kathryn’s memory and recognize the impact graduates and teachers have on their communities.