Sarah Costello, a first-grade teacher at South Row Elementary School in Chelmsford was a finalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.
by Jen Oemig
CHELMSFORD – In May of 2025, it was announced that South Row Elementary School first grade teacher Sarah (Krasnovsky) Costello was a finalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.
What Costello didn’t know then was that the honor carried with it a $5,000 award for the school and its students.
In early December, when the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year winner was announced, Costello and South Row Principal Terri Gilbert were informed about the surprise funds, which were made available by Wellpoint, a health benefits company that sponsored the awards this year.
Costello and Gilbert will now work together to decide how the funds will be spent in a way that directly benefits the students at South Row.
“I would love to utilize the award to go towards something that can stay at school and isn’t consumable,” Costello said. “Maybe we can tie it into the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) work that I do with South Row. I am very excited to collaborate with Terri to come up with a plan.”
Although she was surprised by the $5,000 award, Gilbert said she was not surprised when she found out Costello was named a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
“She just works so hard and I think the effort she’s put into this process is reflective of what she does every single day for her students,” Gilbert said. “I’m so happy that she got recognized to the level that she did. She’s very deserving.”
Looking back at the past nine months, Costello said she is incredibly proud to have even been considered for the award.
“The Teacher of the Year process was a rigorous and fulfilling process and I am grateful to be a part of it,” Costello shared. “So far, I’ve had an opportunity to join a professional development to grow as an educator.”
Tara Goodhue, a science teacher at Lowell High School, was honored with the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year top prize of $10,000 during a ceremony on December 2.
Wellpoint, the only health plan offering health care benefits exclusively to Massachusetts GIC members, has been a staunch supporter or educators throughout the Commonwealth and especially here in our Greater Lowell community.
Through their Classroom Quarterback feature, launched with Lowell Public Schools and InsideLowell in October of 2023, the organization has honored teachers who go above and beyond for their students.
Along with the recognition of being a Classroom Quarterback, Wellpoint awards these dedicated educators a $250 gift card for use on classroom supplies.
