Seventy-three teachers in area schools received certificates for excellence in secondary school teaching from the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester. They were honored at a recognition dinner April 3.

The annual awards spotlight teachers for their thorough knowledge and enthusiasm in their subject, well-organized and imaginative lessons, clear and interesting explanations of important concepts, and a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning. In most cases, students from honor societies at the respective schools nominated the teachers.

The awards committee also singled out three educators for their outstanding work and as symbols of the accomplishments of local teaching professionals. They were: Gary Herbert, a mathematics teacher at East High School; Susan Jacobitti, a social studies teacher at Penfield High School; and Sandra Szymanski, a vocal music teacher at Livonia Jr.-Sr. High School.

Charter One Bank sponsored the awards, which were presented in Cutler Ballroom at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. Leonard S. Simon, vice chairman of Charter One Financial Inc., addressed about 250 people at the event. Guest speaker for the program was Susan Dodge Peters, director of education at the Memorial Art Gallery.

The Warner School (on the Web at www.rochester.edu/warner/) offers master's degree and doctoral degree programs in the areas of teaching and curriculum, counseling and human development, and educational leadership.