Dover Chamber Names Its Educator of the Year

The school year was a tough one for many students because of the pandemic but the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce's Educator of the Year helped make it easier for both students and her colleagues.

MJ Hippern, a physical education teacher at Dover High School for 20 years, was recognized on Friday for her efforts at Dover High School in a surprise ceremony,  Chamber president Margaret Joyce told Seacoast Current.

Among the actions that earned Hippern the nomination, which came from a fellow teacher, was the design and coordination of the annual Unified Semi Formal dance/prom for all the students in the school’s unified program, as well as DHS staff and administration, putting together a door decorating contest during the holiday season to lift the spirits of the 100 students in the building at that time and organizing a physical wellness time for students in the flex/advisory block. This gave students something physical to do during that flex block, according to the nomination.

Others being honored by the Chamber at their annual Awards Gala on Friday, June 4 include:

• Volunteer of the Year: Deborah Clough, a board member of Dover Main Street
• Nonprofit of the Year: SOS Recovery Community Organization
• Business of the Year: Convenient: MD Urgent Care

Read a profile of Citizen of the Year Matthew Mayberry, a former three-term city councilor and former school board member.

The Legacy Award will be unveiled the gala to an indivudual the Chamber believes has made a tremendous impact on the City of Dover and more recently, statewide.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH