North Mianus School’s Crystal Kitselman has been selected as a semifinalist for Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year 2020 Award. Ms. Kitselman was previously selected as a 2019 Distinguished Teacher for the Greenwich Public School district.
The Connecticut Teacher of the Year program began in 1952 to recognize and honor teacher excellence. To qualify for the State’s Teacher of the Year award, candidates must be recognized for teacher of the year within their respective districts. Teachers who are awarded State Teacher of the Year are also recognized by the President at a White House reception.
Finalists will be selected later this month.
“We are thrilled to have Crystal Kitselman represent Greenwich Schools at the state level. Crystal truly exemplifies our mission to personalize learning for all of our students. Being
selected as a semifinalist is an incredible accomplishment, and we are so excited that her talent is being recognized as one of the best educators in our field,” said Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones in a release from the district on Thursday.
An educator with the Greenwich Public Schools for thirteen years, Ms. Kitselman has taught at both Parkway School and North Mianus School. She began teaching in 2006 as a 4th grade teacher at Parkway School.
Since 2007, she has taught at North Mianus School in grades 3 and 4. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham reading instruction model, a language-based, multisensory program and was a participant in the Lone Pine Educational Foundation team, which trained with math specialist Greg Tang for two years. She has participated in several curriculum writing projects, is a PBIS Coach, a TEAM Mentor, and serves on the NMS Data Team.
Ms. Kitselman received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from The University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.
Previous award winners from the Greenwich Public School district include Anthony Mullen, who was awarded Connecticut Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year in 2009.