Bristol teacher named Connecticut’s 2023 teacher of the year
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A science teacher from Bristol Eastern High School is Connecticut’s 2023 teacher of the year, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday morning.
Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker surprised Carolyn Kielma with the news that she had been chosen for Connecticut’s highest honor for extraordinary teachers in a schoolwide assembly at the school. Kielma was joined by her family, fellow educators and students.
“It is an honor for us to highlight the incredible work of Bristol Eastern High School’s Ms. Carolyn Kielma,” Lamont said in a release. “She embodies so many of the effective qualities that transform students’ lives. I am thrilled today to visit her classroom, deliver this news directly to her in-person, and let her know how much we appreciate the dedication she has brought to her career as a teacher.”
Kielma has been teaching high school science since 2002, and since 2015, has taught biology, biotechnology and forensics, environmental science, biotechnical engineering, anatomy and physiology, and the Advancement Via Individual Determination program (AVID) elective class at Bristol Eastern High School, according to the release.
Known as an advocate for equity and inclusion within the classroom and through teacher collaboration, Kielma has said the greatest reward comes from the success of her students in life.
“Carolyn Kielma is a shining example of how teachers across the state connect with their students and why those connections matter,” said Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association. “She has described these relationships as her greatest career reward – a feeling that every educator can relate to. We are proud to congratulate Carolyn as well as all our exemplary educators around the state making a difference every day.”
Principal of Bristol Eastern Michael Higgins said, “Ms. Kielma’s enthusiasm for her students and the content that she teaches is contagious. She is student-centered and brings an energy to her classrooms that is beyond compare.”
The Connecticut teacher of the year is chosen by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council, which includes previous winners and educational and community leaders. The selection was decided through candidate applications, interviews, and school site visits, as well as interviews with faculty, parents, administration, and students.
