Honey Do Good Award Winner

Marilyn Cunha

Favorite Charity: Love for Linley Foundation

Nomination Letter for Honey Dew-Gooder Contest

Link to Dew Good Award Winners

The influence of a good teacher can never be erased. According to Charles Kuralt, good teachers know how to bring out the best in their students. Marilyn Cunha, master of her craft, has done just this for over 30 years, day in and day out, as an elementary school teacher in Easton, MA. She has affected the lives of countless students, families, new teachers, administrators and co-teachers in one way or another, whether they were lucky enough to be in her classroom, have her as a tutor, or just be in her presence. There is not enough space or words to describe or explain all she has done, but we will try to highlight some of the most unforgettable.

Ms. Cunha has dedicated her life to making education accessible to all learners. She herself is a lifelong learner, receiving a master’s degree in Special Education and a C.A.G.S. In 2009, Marilyn received a prestigious award from the Asperger’s Association of New England for Promoting Learning and Understanding in Schools. Her classroom has always been an inclusive environment in which all students are accepted and welcomed. Ms. Cunha’s classroom is a place where each child feels empowered. She finds a way to connect with each student, to build on their strengths and bring out the best in them all, which helps others see their own strengths. She is special this way.

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”

For Marilyn, this translates to both the children and the adults in her life. For new teachers, she recognized the importance of mentorship, of having someone be your guide and encourage you as you first navigate one of the most important jobs on the planet. As a new teacher herself, she did have fellow teachers that she could certainly call on and consider her mentors, but there was nothing formal in place. She became passionate about this and initiated mentoring for the future new teachers of Easton. In2000, after formalizing and leading the district’s first New Teacher Mentor Program, which is still in place today, Marilyn was presented with an EEA award acknowledging her dedication to supporting new teachers.

This third highlight is one that no teacher would ever wish for but the impact she had on this particular child, family, and community was certainly the most profound. In October of 2019, one of her most beautiful, bright, and KIND little fourth grade students was given the devastating diagnosis of a rare pediatric brain cancer DIPG. As you can imagine, everyone was heartbroken and terrified about what was to come. Aggressive treatments began right away and before long, Linley was unable to attend school. This did not stop Ms. Cunha from being her teacher, though. In fact, you could not choose a more perfect teacher to take on this unimaginable role in the darkest of times. She would be Linley’s last teacher. She rallied classmates to let Linley know how loved she was. She made frequent visits. She brought activities and, more importantly, herself. Ms. Cunha made Linley laugh and smile every time she was near. Linley never doubted how much her teacher loved her. COVID made everything harder but still, Ms. Cunha stayed close, supporting Linley and her family, along with the rest of her students more than ever. In July of 2020, Linley’s battle came to an end, but her legacy had just begun, with the help of her amazing teacher. It was Ms. Cunha that thought of dedicating a space on the school grounds for a garden in Linley’s name and most recently, the first annual “Make a Difference Day” in honor of the beautiful life of this special little girl. The amount of organization and thought that went into making this new tradition possible for fourth graders year after year is truly incredible and heartwarming. She did it all, from finding sponsors to gathering donations to the local food pantry, planting bulbs, creating kindness rocks, writing cards for the homebound and lonely, and finally coming together to celebrate Linley’s life while reading Miss Rumphius, a classic children’s book by Barbara Cooney about “making the world a more beautiful place.” Linley knew that volunteering and kindness is all about becoming the change you wish to see in the world. This day was beautiful and inspiring in every way and will be for years to come because of her fourth-grade teacher.

Please consider Ms. Marilyn Cunha for this Dew-Good Award. She is extraordinary in every way and deserves recognition tenfold. It would mean everything to her to be able to give to the newly formed nonprofit, the Love for Linley Foundation. Marilyn has a special gift, and her impact is endless. Her students are forever changed and carry her teachings with them wherever they go in life. Many families would proudly support Ms. Cunha in earning this special award. Thank you for your careful consideration.