Teacher-of-the-Year
Barbara Hengstenberg - 2010
Honor Roll
Connecticut Teacher of the Year - Honor Roll
Selection Process for
Torrington's Teacher-of-the-Year
Early in the spring the district launches the process for selecting its Teacher-of-the-Year. Using district process and protocols, each building may select a Teacher-of-the-Year. The building nominees then submit portfolios for review by a selection panel made up of former Torrington Teachers-of-the-Year.
The panel meets together to score the portfolios, all of which have had the names and identifying information removed. The members of the panel score each portfolio against a rubric that assesses how well the nominee articulates an educational philosophy and the rewards of the teaching, contributes to the profession, and demonstrates professional excellence. The scoring is done blindly with no discussion among panel members.
All of the portfolios and scoring sheets are given to the assistant superintendent's administrative assistant, who tallies the scoring sheets. The Assistant Superintendent then informs the Superintendent, the teacher, and the teacher's building principal. The name of the new Teacher-of-the-Year is not revealed to anyone else until the opening day celebration. During this annual assembly of staff, the Assistant Superintendent announces the name of the selected teacher. The Teacher-of-the-Year then speaks to the assembly.
During the following summer, Torrington's Teacher of the Year completes a portfolio to be a candidate for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year. The Connecticut Teacher of the Year will be selected from a pool of district teacher of the year nominees.
History
The Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952. It is sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Teaching and Learning Programs and services, and ING. The program begins with the selection of a teacher of the year in each local district and continues to the national level, where the Connecticut Teacher of the Year becomes eligible for national honors.
The National Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic Inc. Two Connecticut teachers have been National Teachers of the Year: LeRoy Hay, an English teacher from Manchester, in 1983; and Dorothy Hamilton, a social studies teacher from Milford, in 1953. Five Connecticut teachers have been national finalists: Fie K. Budzinsky in 1996 (Portland), Shirley J. Gillis in 1981 (New London), Harold Frazier in 1964 (West Hartford), Helen Estes (Manchester) in 1963, and Marian Galbraith (Groton) in 2002.
Purpose
The 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.
Duties of the Connecticut Teacher of the Year
The Connecticut Teacher of the Year and the three finalists serve as teacher-ambassadors for public education. They are appointed to various education advisory committees and become consultants to the Commissioner of Education. They present workshops; speak at education conferences and meetings; address student, civic, college and university, and governmental groups; and operate special programs in accordance with their interests and expertise. The Connecticut Teacher of the Year also represents the state at the national level--participating in national educational forums, National State Teacher of the Year Program planning and networking sessions, and U.S. Department of Education meetings.
