It was a chance to honor the great work that had won them accolades from parents and to share what makes great educators tick, as this year’s Blackboard Awards were celebrated on June 2 in the packed auditorium of children’s book publisher Scholastic in SoHo.

As they came to the stage to accept their awards, the educators each spoke about their passion for their profession. The awards go to educators from public, private, parochial and charter schools in Manhattan, and nine of the 15 winners were New York City public school teachers or guidance counselors.

UFT Vice President for Career and Technical Education High Schools Sterling Roberson congratulated the group, thanking them for “your leadership in educational excellence, which has set the bar high.”

Social studies and environmental studies teacher Bayard Faithfull of the Beacon School in Manhattan praised his colleagues and students.

“It’s incredible to be in this community of educators,” he said, “especially in this time when the national discourse on teachers has not been very kind.”

Music teacher Fran Vogel of Manhattan’s MS 167 said, “I’ve learned a lot about patience and giving up what I need and want in the classroom to give the kids what they need.”

For Kristen Smith, a science teacher at MS 245 on the Upper West Side, being a teacher “means being a lifelong learner, going on a journey that never ends.”

Other UFT members who won awards were Eileen Shostack of PS 75, Dana Kaplan of PS 33, Heather Meisner of PS 198, guidance counselor Sarah Liogys of New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math, and Dr. Katarina H. Klaf of PS 77. The UFT is among the supporters of the event, which is sponsored by New York Family magazine of Manhattan Media.