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September 28, 2009 – Many years ago, after majoring in German and then considering a career as a veterinarian, a friend of Judy Moran told her which career path she should take. “He said, ‘you should be a teacher,’” said Moran. “You explain things so well.”

Perhaps more than 20 years of high school biology students should thank him.

Moran, an advanced placement biology teacher at Goshen High School, was recently awarded the 2009 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She and six other teachers from the Hudson Valley were honored at a dinner reception at the College Terrace at SUNY New Paltz on September 15.

Moran has taught at the Goshen High School for the past 23 years; previously, she taught for two years at SUNY New Paltz. Six years ago, she was named the Department Chair of the Goshen High School Science Department.

In her daily teaching, Moran strives to teach her students to love and appreciate science and biology. “When a former student tells you that you’ve made a difference in their life and you’ve made them appreciate the awesomeness of biology – it’s a wonderful feeling.”

Moran is advisor of the National Honor Society, where she works on a number of community service projects and activities with her students, and initiated the Environmental Club. In her spare time, she loves to garden, crochet, travel, walk her dog, Jessie, and spend time with her husband and best friend, Dennis, who is a professor of biology at SUNY New Paltz.

Moran was nominated for the award by former Superintendent Roy Reese, Goshen High School Principal Robert Litz and 2009 Goshen High School graduate and former student, Madeline Laskoski. In her letter of recommendation, Laskoski stated, “Mrs. Moran teaches her students in a way that is easy to understand, and she is always open to questions. She makes her lessons entertaining while also effectively conveying the information. She is the kind of person who always adds a bit of sunshine to my day and I know that I can trust her with anything! She is a great teacher and a lifelong friend, and she deserves so much credit for giving so much!”