Weston Awards: Shannon Becker-Fyfe

This is the latest in our series spotlighting the 2026 winners of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.

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“Shannon Becker-Fyfe is one of those teachers who just gets it. She sees your student as they are, and meets them there.” That’s how a parent described this Montclair High School special education teacher in a 2026 Weston Award nomination letter. 

That parent went on to share that this school year was a rough transition for their son, but Ms. Becker-Fyfe worked hard to make it as smooth as possible. 

“She never gave up on him,” the parent wrote. “She adapts, communicates and goes out of her way to make it work for him. In special ed self-contained classes, sometimes adults see you only by what you CAN’T do. Ms. Becker-Fyfe never looks at kids that way. She sees them as capable and encourages them. She differentiates instruction and finds what works for our kids.”   

It was that intentional focus on student dignity and capability – rather than deficits – that really stood out to the selection committee. 

Ms. Becker-Fyfe was praised for her dedication, professionalism, and collaborative approach to supporting students. 

“She works with the [teaching] team to support our son, is an amazing communicator, and goes out of her way to help,” a parent shared. “She gives up her lunch period to help the kids socialize. She treats our son with respect, holds him to high expectations, and genuinely cares about the students and their success. She’s made behavior charts, encourages our son to socialize, and always lets us know when something needs attention. She believes in him and is helping him become more independent. She treats him with dignity, holds him accountable, and shows him he can be more and do more.”

For empowering students to grow in independence, the Montclair community is thrilled to call Ms. Becker-Fyfe an inspired teacher. Congratulations. 

Winners of the 2026 Weston Awards / Photo by Erik Ekroth