The Haverhill YMCA will honor the six teachers nominated for Educator of the Year and will announce the winner of what it hopes will become an annual award.

Colleagues, parents and students sent nominations. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Haverhill YMCA at 81 Winter St.

The nominees, in alphabetical order, including comments from nomination letters, are:

Matthew Castonguay, fifth-grade teacher at Bradford Elementary School.

"Mr. Castonguay is an inspiration to his students, a role model; he raises the bar for learning and teaches the children excellent study habits that they will continue to use throughout the rest of their academic career."

"He is kind, yet challenging."

In addition to his work in the classroom, Castonguay volunteers to coach cross country, track and field, and floor hockey, and is the District Coordinator for Bradford in the Academic Bowl, a competition between the elementary schools and middle schools in the city. He also organized the first Bradford Elementary 5K Road Race and Fitness Walk and coordinates Family Bingo Night. He is also working on a Masters degree in School Administration from Salem State College and works part-time in promotions for the Boston Bruins. Castonguay often contributes Bruins memorabilia and game packages to raise money for the school.

He holds practices for running four days a week after school and on Saturday mornings, all on his own time. But his dedication doesn't stop there.

"Last year, two of our runners made it to the Nationals. Mr. Castonguay flew down to cheer on both children."

"He taught the children great team spirit, dedication to their team and respect for each other."

Judy Collins, kindergarten teacher at Pentucket Lake School.

"She has a gentle and quiet demeanor that children naturally gravitate to. The faces of her former students light up when they pass Mrs. Collins in the hallways. The smiles are often followed by big hugs, which she embraces with the same enthusiasm. She greets all colleagues with a smile and treats everyone with respect."

A nominator added that she appreciates any help and support that is given to her classroom. She invites parents twice a year for Make-and-Take workshops, which allows parents to visit and create activities that can be used at home to strengthen skills learned in the classroom.

Collins is involved with encouraging and supporting the children of Haverhill outside the classroom. She teaches summer school at Pentucket Lake as well as swimming lessons at the YMCA. She attends every monthly Parent Teacher Organization meeting to offer support and is often at school-sponsored night events.

"Mrs. Collins is a tremendous asset to Pentucket Lake School."

Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora, associate professor of biology at Northern Essex Community College.

Custodia-Lora has become known at NECC for her community service in the city and region both by herself and with her students. According to a nominator, she has also been a key player in the creation of a new NECC degree program in Laboratory Science.

A member of Team Haverhill, Custodia-Lora has been working on green chemistry and single-stream recycling initiatives. She volunteers at the Hill View Monetessori Charter School in Haverhill, helping to find resources for and schedule science classes there, and has volunteered at the Little Sprouts day care center on the NECC Haverhill campus since 2004.

"In short, Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora is an excellent teacher, a leader in her field at Northern Essex Community College, a Haverhill resident with a strong history of personal service to her community, and an advocate of community service learning who transfers her passion to her students."

Barry Mooers, ESL teacher at Haverhill High School.

Mooers has been an educator in the Haverhill Public School System since 1976, beginning his career as a language arts teacher at the John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School. In the 1980s he was the head coach for the boyss tennis team at Haverhill High.

Mooers has served the students of Haverhill by working with the local Summer Migrant Program and has directed an MCAS Summer School Program. In recent years, he has served as the principal for the Haverhill High School Summer School Program, is the coordinator for the SAT and ACT college placement tests that are offered at Haverhill High, and serves as a moderator for the Haverhill Public School's Academic Bowl.

"At a time in his career when most teachers might be scaling back their involvement in educational activities, Mr. Mooers has increased his."

Outside of school, Mooers is a member of the Sacred Hearts Parish in Haverhill where he was a CCD teacher. He has also been involved as a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, which assists those in need in the parish community.

"I have always respected Mr. Mooers for the commitment and compassion he brings to the field of teaching. His involvement in related educational activities outside of his standard teaching day is admirable and I believe this serves to make him an excellent role model for young educators entering the system."

Judy Reilly, first-grade teacher at Walnut Square School.

Reilly has left a lasting impression on her students. She works with every child individually and focuses on their strengths and helps children concur their academic weaknesses. Each student gets a chance to journal with her, giving them a chance to work on their social and writing skills.

"She teaches the kids to love reading and love one another. Her academic teachings are matched by a teaching of honesty, respect and caring. Mrs. Reilly would never attract this kind of attention to herself, but she deserves it."

"The first day of school, Mrs. Reilly has a box and she says that it has the most important thing in the world inside. All the little first-graders look in and inside they see a mirror and in the mirror is their reflection."

Valerie Wood, fourth-grade teacher at Bradford Elementary School.

Wood, who serves as one of the Student Council coordinators at Bradford Elementary, participates in every evening event the school hosts at the school, like concerts, floor hockey games and fundraisers.

She is also praised for her creativity in teaching. The children in her classroom earn auction money, fake money throughout the term for different things such as being kind to a friend or putting the chairs up for the day. The children go out of their way to make good choices and hopefully earn auction money. Then on a set date, there is an auction for small prizes based on how much the children have earned.

"Valerie Wood is a role model for her students. She teaches respect, good character, and how to be strong and think independently."

Wood creates a warm, inviting classroom for her students to thrive in. The children feel secure, valued, and they believe in themselves.

"She believes that every child is a work of art. They are just waiting to be created. She gives them the tools to create a successful masterpiece."