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HONORING

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2023 CEA ADVISOR 15

CONNECTICUT TEACHERS SHINE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE

TEACHER OF THE YEAR CAROLYN KIELMA NAMED NATIONAL FINALIST 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kielma has been named one of five National Teacher of the Year finalists. “Teaching is what I was born to do,” the Bristol science teacher said at a press conference announcing her status as a finalist. “I get to help make better, smarter, kinder, humans. I get to share a small part of their lives. I get to celebrate their trials and teach them to focus and buckle down when the expectations are high. I get to help them understand and value their worth while they navigate their own unique journeys to adulthood. I get to laugh with them every day. And sometimes I get to comfort them when they are at their lowest points, and I get to remind them that tough times do not last; tough people do. Oh, yeah, and I also get to teach them. This job is not easy, but it is indispensable.” “What speaks to me about Carolyn’s journey is that she doesn’t just look at the process of teaching science as an academic endeavor,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “It is a social emotional opportunity to grow young humans into really exciting, productive members of society. As a fellow STEM teacher, when you try to connect things like math and science to social emotional wellness, the kids can get a little glassy-eyed on you. And so I really do appreciate and celebrate the fact that Carolyn uses her skill set to get kids excited about science, help them understand its relevance and importance in their lives, and use it as a vehicle to build really quality humans. That’s a profound impact you get to make on children’s lives, which is why we love being teachers.” “As Connecticut’s 2023 Teacher of the Year you are a shining example of the incredible educators we have in Connecticut,” Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker told Kielma. “We are proud of you and all of our educators who strive to make a difference in the lives of their students every day.” “The best advocates for educators are educators,” said State Senator Jan Hochadel, a fellow educator and president of AFT Connecticut. “As Connecticut Teacher of the Year, your voice will be heard above all others. I know you will work hard to make sure the status of our profession is raised.” Hochadel joked, “The last Connecticut Teacher of the Year we had who was named a National Teacher of the Year finalist was Jahana Hayes, and four years later, she was in Congress—so, no pressure!” “On behalf of the Education Committee we are so proud of you and cannot thank you enough for helping our students thrive,” said State Rep. Jeff Currey. As the new co-chair of the Education Committee he said that educators like Carolyn will be “at the top of my mind and hopefully the top of my email.” “We are cheering you on because that sends a message about how seriously we take our teachers, how seriously we take our schools,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “I love something you said, Carolyn, which says you understand these kids so well: ‘Every kid is gifted, and every kid has special needs.’ And a teacher recognizes that, and that’s how a teacher makes a kid want to learn and love to learn and helps them find what their passion is.” “I hope, Carolyn, that you enjoy this moment, that you embrace it as an opportunity to uplift our profession and bring attention to the things you know can be improved,” Dias said, “because I think one thing we need to do is take these moments and celebrate, but then give the voice to the person who’s being honored to help direct and guide us to the places

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…ELAINE HILL

Fourth grade teacher Elaine Hill got the surprise of her career as more than 1,000 students from Waterbury’s Michael F. Wallace Middle School gathered in the gym for what everyone assumed was a schoolwide assembly. Distinguished guests from the governor’s and mayor’s offices and the State Department of Education were present, and members of the student choir and band performed for the crowd. While officials congratulated Wallace students and teachers on their many achievements, anticipated. She was about to receive one of the nation’s top education honors, for which there is no application or nomination. The Milken Educator Award is given to early and mid-career teachers for their achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish. Nicknamed “the Oscars of teaching,” Milken awards come with an unrestricted $25,000 prize for the winning teacher. Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley traveled more than 3,000 miles to present the award to Hill in person. “Even in California, we have heard about you,” Dr. Foley said. “We think educators have the most important job in the country, because their responsibility is preparing all of you for a bright future, so our message is about the critical roles educators play in our society.” Calling educators the single most important element in a child’s academic success—without Oscars, Emmys, Nobel Prizes, or any of the other awards recognizing talent in other fields—she added, “In the spirit of paying tribute to the importance of our educators, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the dedicated faculty and staff at this school and invite them all to stand.” “We are so proud of our educators across the state, and it’s gratifying to see their talents and efforts recognized in this way,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “Awards like this let our educators know they are seen, they are respected, and their work is valued.” Also on hand to congratulate Hill were Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, and past Connecticut recipients of the Milken Award. Hill is a founding member of Wallace Middle School’s Academic Academy, a school-within-a-school for fourth through eighth grades that provides a full-day challenging program for excelling students and an after school program that keeps most of her students with her until 4:50 p.m. four days a week— wraparound time that has been critically they also made an announcement that Hill had not Hill’s weekly student mentoring program has been highlighted on local news programs, showcasing seventh- and eighth-graders’ work with fourth- and fifth-graders on STEM projects such as building LEGO robots. After her class discussed the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and watched videos of his speeches, students wrote essays about the civil rights hero, with one earning top honors in an essay contest sponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. Hill places a priority on building community among students and with families. During the pandemic, she found creative ways to include families in their children’s learning at home, and former students often stop by her classroom to thank her for her ongoing encouragement and support. “I teach because I love my students, and I love watching them learn, grow, and have fun,” said Hill in a post-ceremony interview. “When I see my students achieve, I feel as successful as they feel. It’s important to recognize teachers and education, because we’re doing work that helps the whole community, and it is an undervalued job.” She added, “This is a celebration of our school and all of our students. This is our moment, together.” Watch Hill’s interview here: youtube.com/watch?v=j9WBvhkYJo8 Hill’s students line up to reveal her prize. important as the school recovers from pandemic learning disruptions.

where we as a profession, we as a state, and we as communities can create successful new pathways.” “I cannot wait to head out to our nation’s capital and get to work elevating this career,” said Kielma. “I’m ready to work with my teacher colleagues across all disciplines and all grade levels, all states and territories, to reform policy and practice in a way that promotes equity and inclusion and provides opportunities

for all of our scholars to be successful. I’m ready to show the nation how valuable and vital teachers are to the health and future of our

society as I inspire others to view our job as respected, desired, and prestigious.” The 2023 National Teacher of the Year will be announced this spring. Meet all five candidates here: ntoy.ccsso. org/meet-the-2023-finalists