NHS Grad Earns Cooperative Educational Services Teacher Of The Year

Erica Christopher, a therapeutic day program special education teacher who works with students with social and emotional disabilities at Cooperative Educational Services (CES) and a Newtown High School graduate, has been named the CES Teacher of the Year. Ms Christopher will now be considered for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year for 2012.

Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year program emphasizes best practices in teaching. The program is not meant to identify the best teacher, but rather identify and honor those teachers that are distinguished and inspirational role models to their students, verbally and visually exemplifying the teaching profession.

“Working in special education can be very challenging, but there’s no greater reward than helping students work toward achieving individual success — academically, behaviorally, and socially,” said Ms Christopher. “I work collaboratively with a number of different professionals to meet the unique needs of our students and it’s truly a team effort. I’m grateful to have the resources and support I need to help my students succeed.”

Ms Christopher has worked at CES for the past nine years. This fall, she begins her sixth year serving as a special education teacher in the therapeutic day program (TDP).

Beginning at CES as an instructional aide, Ms Christopher began the process for her certification as a special education teacher after a few short weeks. The next school year, she accepted an educational instructor position in the TDP middle school while she completed her schooling. Upon completion of her certification, she began teaching in TDP in 2006. Ms Christopher completed Special Education Certification and received her master’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University.

This is the third year CES has participated in Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year Program. As a candidate for the state Teacher of the Year, Ms Christopher’s application will be reviewed by at least five members of a statewide selection committee. If she is selected as one of four finalists, she will be observed in the classroom by selection committee members in consideration of the honor.

Ms Christopher’s application is currently being reviewed by the state’s selection committee. Through a rigorous screening, the four finalists will be chosen in mid-September and Connecticut Interim Commissioner of Education George Coleman will announce the Connecticut Teacher of the Year during the week of October 11.