Joshua Landwehr and Monica Murray stand on either side of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School principal Damon Smith on June 22 to display the year’s four Faculty Distinction Awards. (Photo: Janis Navikas)

The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Class of 2021 honored four teachers who made significant contributions to their learning and personal development over their high school years in a small ceremony held June 22 outside the high school’s Fitzgerald Theatre. The honorees brought the total number of recipients to 60 since the Faculty Distinction Awards were established in 2007.

The Faculty Distinction Awards are sponsored by Friends of CRLS, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting opportunities for the public high school’s students, graduates and faculty. In the organization’s words:

Dana Gauthier, a high school English teacher for 15 years, is appreciated by students for her creativity and empathy. She holds a 2003 bachelor’s degree in English literature from Colgate University and a 2005 master’s degree in teaching from Boston University. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the CRLS community and will especially miss this senior class, who greeted me with open arms and hearts when I arrived in October 2019,” Gauthier said.

Joshua Landwehr, a teacher of history and social studies at CRLS since 2007, is appreciated by students for his cheerfulness and ability to motivate students. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UMass Boston in 2007 and his Master of Education degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in 2008. “My sincere wish for the graduates is that one day they can do what they love and love what they do,” Landwehr said.

William McDonald, a teacher of biology and environmental science at the high school since 2017, is appreciated by students for his kindness and helpfulness. A graduate of Somerville public schools, the University of Massachusetts at Boston and Boston University in 1990, he has taught in Cambridge for 27 years. “The reason this recognition means so much is that it was determined by the students,” McDonald said.

Monica Murray, a teacher of drama and film studies at CRLS since 2002, is appreciated by students for her enthusiasm and moral support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in theater education from Emerson College. “I have been so impressed by the students’ kindness, bravery and resilience this year and throughout my career. I can’t thank them enough for making me a better person and teacher,” Murray said.

Information about Friends of CRLS is at focrls.org.