Celebration of hugs for Enfield's teacher of the year

Susan Danseyar, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·4 min read

Jun. 27—ENFIELD — Amber Venoutsos didn't notice the administrators when they first came into her Hazardville Memorial classroom on June 13, bringing the news that she had been chosen Enfield teacher of the year.

She was working with a student at the time and eventually looked up to see Superintendent Christopher Drezek heading a group bearing the exciting announcement.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

WHO: Amber Venoutsos

TESTIMONIALS:

April Smith: "I have worked in a few school systems, and Amber is the most dedicated person I have ever had the pleasure of working with."

Kelly Rossetti: "Watching her interactions with students and observing her teaching, it is apparent that she not only loves what she does, but how great she is at it. I am so fortunate to have her as a colleague. In my nine years of teaching, I have learned more from her than anyone else."

Melissa Killmer: "Amber exemplifies what it means to be an amazing teacher. She is kind, compassionate and goes above and beyond for not only her students, but the staff of HMS. Her nurturing tone is what makes her students not only love her but respect her."

The students came right over to surround their teacher, giving her hugs and rejoicing as a class.

"What made that moment so special for me is this particular group of kids," Venoutsos said. "They have shown so much resilience through the pandemic and have been so flexible."

Celebrating with the second graders was a moment Venoutsos said she will never forget.

"I couldn't stop smiling," she said. "I had the sweetest class this year."

Venoutsos, who was nominated by four Hazardville Memorial colleagues, will now represent Enfield at the state level in the Connecticut teacher of the year process.

She attributes the nomination, in part, to her work establishing the school-wide community building initiative PAWS Time, which stands for the Hazardville Memorial's behavior expectations: practice kindness, always be safe, make wise choices, and show respect.

The program, which Venoutsos expanded this year to include students at sister-school Eli Whitney and Stowe Early Learning Center, was started in 2019 before the pandemic with the goal of making every student feel a part of the school community.

"After the pandemic, we recognized the need even more," she said. "Academics don't happen unless the connection is there."

Once a week for 30 minutes, every student in the school participates in a pre-recorded read-aloud and does an accompanying activity. The entire school does it at the same time, and staff rotates into different classrooms to meet and interact with other students.

"The impact PAWS has had on the kids and overall morale is unbelievable," Venoutsos said. "They're entering a space where they feel valued and loved, and every child feels important." In addition, she said, the students recognize teachers who are not from their classroom and delight in their new connections.

"PAWS is truly what makes me, me," Venoutsos said. "The project has become a huge part of what makes our Hazardville Memorial community unique, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to take on a project like this, especially during such a challenging time for educators and students everywhere."

"If we've learned nothing else during the pandemic, it's that students, and teachers, need the sense of connection that comes with being part of a school community," Venoutsos said. "I feel so fortunate to help this 'big idea' become a reality."

Another highlight of her 15 years teaching at Hazardville Memorial is as a mentor for new staff, including her current grade-level colleagues, Melissa Killmer and April Smith.

"I try to provide as much support for my mentees as possible as they are starting out in the profession, but I inevitably end up learning from them as well. It's a wonderful experience," she said.

Venoutsos — who has three sons, ages 6, 7, and 9 — said she doesn't remember the exact moment she decided to become a teacher.

"I just have always loved working with kids, especially young ones," she said. "It's a general pull that I've had for as long as I can remember."

Her Hazardville Memorial colleagues can't say enough about the impact Venoutsos has had on students and the school community.

"Amber is an amazing teacher," said second-grade teacher Kelly Rossetti. "Teaching just comes so naturally to her and that can be seen anytime you walk into her classroom."

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.