NORWAY – Rebecca Cummings of Paris was in the first graduating class of the Oxford Hills School District in 1962 when it included only the towns of Norway and Paris.

She eventually came back to teach and later perform a variety of roles.

Tuesday she was given an annual award handed out by the district.

The Mary Lou Burns educational award goes to a teacher, staff member or community member based on years of service, exemplary work and being a lifelong learner.

Cummings has taught in the district 35 years. She has been a teacher and a principal, along with several other administrative roles. She’s now in charge of the school’s Title 1 program.

Superintendent Mark Eastman said she has taught in Brazil. She was also a grant writer for the district, earning it $2 million.

“She has served as a mentor to a lot of teachers,” Eastman said.

Cummings is also a published author, with a book about Finnish culture. She has been in the Peace Corps and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine.

She said she went to college at the University of Maine and Vermont College.

Eastman said the award was established to honor Mary Lou Burns, a former teacher, principal and personnel director in the district.

The award was given at Tuesday’s staff opening ceremony. Cummings said she had no idea it was coming. When Eastman called her name she received a standing ovation, but later offered few words.