Teacher receives Red Ribbon Community Award

Amherst Middle School teacher Nathan Phillips was recently recognized for his commitment to the AIDS Network of Western New York.

A sixth-grade teacher at Amherst Middle School, Phillips has been an educator for the past 24 years. He was one of the first educators in New York State to develop an HIV/AIDS education curriculum for middle school students and has been invited to speak at local and state conferences to share his teaching techniques for promoting awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

During the Dec. 12 Red Ribbon Community Award Celebration, he received the Red Ribbon Community Award. The celebration recognizes individuals and organizations displaying excellence and commitment to the community's response to HIV/AIDS. This year was the fifth anniversary of the awards.

Phillips is also a recipient of the New York State Excellence in Teaching Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, was awarded an Outstanding Mentor Award from Canisius College, has been honored as a New York State Lottery Educator of the Week, and has been recognized as a Teacher of the Year at Amherst Middle School.