Moriah Central Teacher Wins CFES Annual Mario Peña Award

Moriah Central School science teacher Tiffany Pinheiro has been awarded the 2024 Mario Peña award for educational excellence by CFES Brilliant Pathways, a college-readiness nonprofit based in Essex.

The award is named in honor of former CFES Board Member Mario Peña, and is presented annually to an outstanding educator with a proven track record of developing and expanding programming that helps lead underserved youth into promising educational and career opportunities.

“Tiffany embodies all the qualities of an outstanding educator, and we’re thrilled to name her the 2024 Peña award winner,” said Rick Dalton, Co-CEO of CFES Brilliant Pathways.

Pinheiro, who teaches middle school students, received the award at CFES’ annual conference held in Burlington, Vt on November 18-19. “This is a great honor,” she said. “A lot of teachers over the years have done a lot of fabulous work, and it’s wonderful to be a part of that.”

Pinheiro came to the public school system after working for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and brings many things she learned in the field into the classroom. “I’m very excited about any hands-on experiment or activity,” she said.

Dennis Fahey, program director for CFES, said Pinheiro “has dedicated hundreds of hours of service to her scholars. She has supported and mentored all (CFES) fellows assigned to her school, and has worked with other Gear Up schools to replicate their successful science and STEM programs.”

Her students have also been recognized at regional and national STEM competitions for innovative projects as a result of her leadership, and have been involved in community career workshops, such as the “Doctor for a Day” program run by Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

She “truly reflects the characteristics and dedication of serving young people and assisting the team, assisting them, creating their unique pathways,” Fahey said.

Pinheiro has led numerous college visits, taking students to schools including Siena College, Middlebury College and SUNY Adirondack, Clinton Community College and introducing them to STEM career opportunities through workplace visits and competitions.

Over the past 34 years, CFES has helped more than 100,000 students find meaningful pathways to college and career success — many becoming the first in their families to go to college.

CFES Brilliant Pathways is a global leader in helping K-12 underserved students from rural and urban communities become college and career ready, giving students an opportunity to forge their own route to a bright future. For 29 years, CFES has worked closely with schools, colleges and businesses in urban and rural areas to help students become college and career ready through mentoring and by equipping them with the EssentialSkills that include perseverance, agility, goal setting, networking, teamwork and leadership (www.brilliantpathways.org)