Established in 1996 in honor of the late Al Davis, Riverdale’s long-time coach and physical education teacher, the Al Davis Teaching Award honors a teacher or administrator who exemplifies the virtues taught by Al: persistence, sacrifice for the greater good, and team spirit. Dr. Pablo Martinez, a Middle and Upper School language teacher and assistant tennis and fencing coach, received the honor posthumously in 2021.
The Class of 1964 Al Davis Award
To that teacher who teaches what Al Davis taught us;
That we are all capable of great things,
but only with our fullest effort.
That full effort itself is a joyous act,
and transforms even failure into a kind of success.
That community is a precious thing.
That we are all individuals,
and that the highest act of an individual is to contribute to a team.
That teaching at its highest level transcends the walls of a classroom
and the demands of a curriculum, and is finally an act of
mutual respect, commitment, and love.
2021
Dr. Pablo Martinez (Posthumously), Middle and Upper School languages (2019-2021)
2020
Vanessa Izquierdo, Lower School Academic Technology Coordinator (2016-Present)
2019
Manisha Doran, Middle and Upper School physical education (2005-Present)
2018
Karen Cummings, fourth grade (1969–Present)
2017
Beth Sholtes, Middle School health (1984–Present)
2016
Demetra Caldwell ’97, third grade (2004–Present)
2015
Jenny Eskin, Middle and Upper School history (1992–Present)
2014
Natasha Schmemann, first grade (2004–Present)
2013
Scott Ettinger, Middle and Upper School languages (1995–Present)
2012
Ellen Greengrass, Lower School assistant head (2002–Present)
2011
Joel Doerfler, Upper School history (1991–2018)
2010
David Nicholson, Upper School English (1965–2010)
Debbie Wing, environmental educator, (1978–Present)
2009
Joan Bailey, Middle and Upper School math (1983–2011)
2008
Lorraine Mahoney, kindergarten (1973–Present)
2007
Carol Pouliot, Middle and Upper School physical education and athletics, Upper School dean (1986–Present)
2006
Michelle Roussan, world language (1989–2013)
2005
Alan Pike, Middle and Upper School science (1995–2021)
2004
Rebecca Milstein (Cohen), second grade (1994–Present)
2003
Ronald Murison, Upper School English, interdisciplinary studies (1989–Present)
2002
Marie Verde, Lower School music (1995–Present)
2001
William Pahlka, Middle and Upper School English (1978–2014)
2000
Maggie Blane, first grade (1974–2003)
1999
Elena Rothstein, Middle and Upper School Spanish (1981–2014)
1998
Rebecca Greller, kindergarten (1993–Present)
1997
Michael Michelson, Upper School mathematics (1974–2015)