Three educators have been selected as finalists for the 2024 Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year. After an intensive screening and interview process, a districtwide committee of Hartford Public Schools directors, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and previous award winners narrowed down the 38 nominees to three. The finalists are:
Angela Blake - Betances STEM Magnet School | Angela Blake is a 7th and 8th-grade science teacher at Betances STEM Magnet School. Ms. Blake was born and raised in Hartford. She began her career with Hartford Public Schools 8 years ago, teaching in Hartford Public High Schools’ credit recovery program. She strives to help her students become future leaders, creatives, innovators and change-agents in STEM.
Yasmin Ithier-Vicenty - West Middle School | Yasmin Ithier-Vicenty teaches second grade at West Middle School, a Pre-K through 5th grade school. She has taught in Hartford for eight years and began as a behavior technician for the Rise program at McDonough Middle School and West Middle School. Inspired by her mother, who is also a 2024 Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year nominee, Ms. Ithier-Vicenty believes in bringing learning to life within her classroom.
Jacqueline Rankin - Bulkeley High School | Jacqueline Rankin is in her eighth year teaching math in Hartford. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Ms. Rankin began her career student teaching in Hartford and has been committed to serving the Hartford community ever since. Ms. Rankin hopes to foster positive relationships with her students by helping them improve in math and become more confident as whole students.
The three finalists must now submit a series of written essay questions and a videotaped lesson for the final evaluation by the selection committee. You can read more about our 2024 Teacher of the Year finalists here, and see the complete list of 38 nominees here. All nominees must be tenured PreK-12 teachers in the Hartford Public Schools system who exhibit exemplary teaching skills, show commitment to the belief that all children can learn, and are active in community and humanitarian affairs.
The 2024 Teacher of the Year will be announced on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at an awards ceremony at the Hartford Downtown Marriott Hotel. The Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony is funded solely by sponsorships and ticket sales.
Hartford Public Schools is grateful to its invaluable event sponsors: Voya Financial Advisors, the Hartford Federation of Teachers, Autumn Transportation, Shipman & Goodwin, LLC, Pullman & Comley, the Robert Patricelli Family Foundation, Downes Construction Group, Adams & Knight, Dressler Law & MegaEducation, Bears BBQ Restaurant Group, and Parkville Market.
