The New Bedford Educators Association will honor Mr. Christopher Cotter and Mr. Jim Stevens with its 2016 “Friend of Education” Award.

The New Bedford Educators Association will honor Mr. Christopher Cotter and Mr. Jim Stevens with its 2016 “Friend of Education” Award.

Throughout his career as a police officer and current member of the New Bedford School Committee, Mr. Cotter has been an invaluable asset to teachers and our city’s young people.  During his brief tenure on the School Committee, Mr. Cotter has advocated for policies that promote true teaching and learning.

Since founding Gifts to Give in 2008, Mr. Stevens has become a philanthropic leader in our region.  Gifts to Give has taken a multi-faceted approach to helping those in need and improving literacy.  Mr. Stevens has also been a major booster of the NBEA Scholarship Fund and has begun an annual winter social for New Bedford’s teachers.

The awards will be conferred during the NBEA’s annual retirement celebration on Friday, June 17.