Howard L. Goff Middle School Mathematics Teacher Christine Blake was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year by the East Greenbush Teachers Association on Thursday morning. Mrs. Blake was presented with the award by EGTA President Alison Savoca in a surprise announcement during 3rd period.
“Thank you so much to the East Greenbush Teacher’s Association and the East Greenbush School District, I am truly honored,” said Mrs. Blake. “Teaching is so rewarding and I enjoy making connections with my students while embracing the challenges of each student’s unique needs, strengths, and struggles. I have been lucky in life to be surrounded by so much love and happiness, and each day I try to bring that joy to the classroom and share it with my students and colleagues. Life is meant to be fun. Each day choose to be happy. It doesn’t mean there won’t be struggles and trauma and tough times in your life, but if you know there’s someone at school to support and stand by you, then you can get through.
Goff Math Teacher Christine Blake with her students after she received the EGTA Teacher of the Year award.
“My students may not remember every math concept that I teach them, but I hope they go away knowing that there’s always someone that cares about them,” she said. “I believe true success in education is not measured by test scores but by the impact we have on those around us. Thank you so much for the recognition.”
Mrs. Blake began teaching math in the East Greenbush Central School District in 1995 at Genet Elementary School when it was a 5th and 6th grade school. She then transferred to Goff where she has taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade math over the years.
In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Blake is a Math Content Coordinator for grades 6-8, and she serves on the Goff Leadership Team, Goff Climate Committee, the district’s Committee for Curriculum Study, and she plans the Goff Character Education assemblies each month.
Mrs. Blake is beloved by her colleagues, students and families as indicated by the outpouring of support following her announcement as Teacher of the Year. The district’s facebook post received 1,000 likes and more than 230 positive comments about her.
“It’s truly an honor to recognize Chrissy Blake as the 2025 Teacher of the Year,” Mrs. Savoca said. “Being nominated by your peers is perhaps the most meaningful way of ‘being seen’ in the world of education. Chrissy is a shining ray of light – her energy, optimism, passion, knowledge, and genuine, kind nature make her an ideal example of all that the Association stands for. She is adored by her colleagues, students, and the community. She makes us all proud!”
Congratulations to Mrs. Blake, our 2025 EGTA Teacher of the Year!
EGTA Teacher of the Year Award
2025 Christine Blake
2024 Chris Ciccone
2023 Allie Harling
2022 Beth Hart
2021 Audra Di Bacco
2020 All EGTA Members
2019 Maria Fontaine
2018 Scott Siver
2017 Wendy McAlonie
2016 Curtis Sankey
2015 Melissa Gilligan
2014 Nancy Boucher
2013 Monica Blanchfield
2012 Bob Halek
2011 Diana Prout
2010 Jean Decker
2009 Lisa Westman
2008 Linda Kaminski
2007 Peter Zilgme
2006 Christina Rogone
2005 Denise Nahal
2004 The Staff at CHS
2003 Sean Crall
2002 Larraine Gillette
2001 Nikki Carter-Piechnik
2000 Susan Owens
1999 Sally Sroka
1998 Virginia Congemi
1997 Kevin McCann
1996 Mary LaFleur
1995 Linda McCabe
1994 Lynda DeCelle
1993 Denise Poost
1992 Barbara Poole
1991 Kathy DeWeese
1990 Henry Kolakoski
1989 Robert Crosby
1988 Benedict Schaefer
1987 Elizabeth Lyman
1986 Shirley Howard
1985 Carlton Eno
1984 Louise Pearce
1983 Peter Citrolo
1982 Michael Angelo
1981 Marilyn Reeves
1980 Kileen Stone
1979 Edith Cosgrove
1978 Thelma Donahue
1977 Robert King
1976 Jean Burgess
1975 Raymond Gietz
1974 Elizabeth McMaster
1973 Alfred Viola
1972 Bernice Pechenik
1971 Paul Bourgeois
1970 Ruth Herr