Teacher of the Year

 
The selection process for the 2019 Teacher of the Year is underway! Please check back for details! 
 
New Haven Public Schools Teacher of the Year Program


Purpose
The New Haven Public School Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the "best" teacher; rather, to identify from among many outstanding teachers of the year, one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession. The program celebrates excellence in teaching by recognizing teachers who have inspired a love for learning in their students and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.
 
Criteria and Eligibility
The goal of the Teacher of the Year Program is to recognize and honor the tremendous contributions of outstanding classroom teachers. As defined by the Connecticut State Department of Education, teachers will only be considered as a candidate for Teacher of the Year if they:

• Work directly with students at least 50% of the time
• Currently work under a Connecticut certificate with a teaching endorsement or a vocational teaching endorsement
• Have not been recognized as a District Teacher of the Year in the previous three year

 
Process
School Leaders select an outstanding teacher from their school and forward the teacher's information to the Talent Office in the spring. All outstanding teachers nominated by their School Leader will submit their District Teacher of the Year application. The District Application uses questions from the CSDE's Teacher of the Year Application. The District Selection Committee then reviews the submissions and selects Semi-Finalists. The District Selection Committee interviews each the Semi-Finalists and after concluding interviews Finalists will be selected. Members of the District Selection Committee will conduct classroom observations of Finalists. The District Selection Committee then makes a recommendation to the Superintendent for the New Haven Public School Teacher of the Year. The teacher selected as New Haven Public School Teacher of the Year then goes on to complete the Connecticut State Department of Education Teacher of the Year Process.
 
Awards and Recognition
The New Haven Public School Teacher of the Year and finalists are recognized individually at an awards ceremony each year in the fall. The New Haven Public School Teacher of the Year will then go on to be recognized at the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony. 



 

 
NHPS Teacher of the Year Honor Roll
2018: Michael Pavano, New Light High School
2017: Carlos Reyes-Courtevier,* Strong 21st Century Communications Magnet School
2016: Stephanie White, Quinnipiac Real World Math STEM School
2015: Timothy Shortt, Worthington Hooker School
2014: Garfield Pilliner, ESUMS
2013: David Low,* Sound School
2012: Deborah Wingreen, Benjamin Jepson
2011: Gloria Riley Rodriguez, Wilbur Cross High School
2010: Zakiyyah Baker, Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School
2009: Cameo Thorne, High School in the Community

 
 
* Indicates State Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist
** Indicates State Teacher of the Year Finalist
# Indicates State Teacher of the Year