As a tiger made its way up Newtown resident Lori Peck’s driveway, she came around the corner of her house on Saturday, June 13, to a big surprise gathering.

Along with the Ridgefield High School tiger mascot, a line of cars filled with coworkers and well wishers lined her driveway to announce that Peck, a family and consumer science/senior teacher at Ridgefield High School, has been chosen as the 2019-20 Ridgefield Teacher of the Year.

If the honking cars were not enough to draw her attention to her driveway and front yard, Ridgefield High School social studies teacher Jenn DeJulio was visiting with Peck on her back porch, and DeJulio was ready to make sure the surprise went off without a hitch. Peck’s husband, Chad, was also in on the surprise.

As the honking began, Peck could be heard laughing and exclaiming. When she saw her daughters — Maddie, Abigail, and Sarah, all home for the surprise — she hugged them and dropped to her knees in surprise.

Visitors held balloons spelling out “T.O.Y.” Retiring Ridgefield High School Principal Stacy Gross and recently appointed Superintendent of Schools Dr Susie Da Silva were there as part of the surprise. All of the visitors wore masks.

“Thank you so much,” Peck said, still smiling at the large gathering in front of her.

“This is just a small outpouring of the love and respect that we have for you Lori,” Gross said. Later she added, addressing Peck, “I was so excited to hear that you were Teacher of the Year,” and then the crowd, “There is no one more deserving. Lori is an incredible teacher. She connects to students. They love her. She sparks interest the kids never knew they had, but even more than that she is such an essential part of the school.”

Peck supports many committees and efforts at the high school, according to Gross.

“Your goal is always to do what is best for kids, but also to do what is best for us. We feel your love, too,” Gross said to Peck.

After enthusiastic clapping from the gathered group, Peck exclaimed, “I’ve never had so many cars in my driveway in 20 years!”

“This is the biggest honor I could ever imagine,” Peck continued. “I am so humbled. I am so honored. This community at Ridgefield has been phenomenal for 14 years, and to see this kind of love is just amazing.”

Behind her, Peck’s daughters Abigail and Maddie held signs and balloons. Maddie’s sign read, “Lori Peck deserves the [world].” Her daughter Sarah was casting the event live so other family members could watch along.

Dr Da Silva offered her congratulations and told Peck the honor is “clearly well deserved.”

And since Peck had happened to just make cupcakes, she brought them out and offered them to anyone who wanted one.

“It’s so hard not to hug each and every one of you,” Peck said. “But I am so honored. It is so amazing. I am so excited to be a T.O.Y.”