The Broadway show SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark announced the second honoree of their “Everyday Heroes” initiative: a high school English teacher, Jacqueline Morelli of Putnam Valley, New York. The “Everyday Heroes” program seeks to shine the spotlight on people who embody heroism in their daily lives and reward them with a little Broadway glitz and glamor.
Jacqueline Morelli has been teaching English for 16 years, nine of which in a special education collaborative class at Horace Greeley High School. In his nomination submission on her behalf, Ms. Morelli’s friend and colleague Frank Ceruzzi described her as “the kindest and most inspiring teacher I have ever met.”
He went on to explain, “Last year she worked with a very special young man with Cerebral Palsy who came into her classroom lacking confidence and feeling defeated. Jackie saw that James did indeed have the determination and the ability to be successful, and this past August — after a year of hard work — she helped him to achieve his major goal of passing the New York State English Regents.”
“Jackie spins a very special kind of web in her classroom that is just as engaging as the high-flying stunts in Spider-Man,” wrote Ceruzzi. “I am truly honored to work with her every day.”
SPIDER-MAN company members choose a new honoree every month from the pool of nominees. The winner receives two tickets to a performance of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, is publicly acknowledged at the theater, and is invited backstage for a meet-and-greet with the cast. In addition, the theater company makes a donation to the honoree’s charity of choice.
See photos of Jacqueline’s big Broadway night at Broadway World.