Schools

West Hartford Teacher of Year Finalists Announced

Two educators from Hall High School – a math and music teacher – and a science teacher from Smith STEM school are recognized.

Three candidates who have been named finalists for West Hartford 2013 Teacher of the Year were recognized at a reception Tuesday evening before the formal announcement at the Board of Education meeting.

This year's finalists are: Melissa Behrens, a science teacher at Smith STEM School; Jeff Billing, a math teacher at Hall High School; and John Mastroianni, a Hall High School instrumental music teacher and band director.

"It's really nice timing to represent Smith in this way. We're doing some really incredible things," said Behrens. This is Smith's inaugural year as a STEM school with a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math.

Behrens has worked at Smith since 2001, and taught third grade before becoming a science teacher for all grade levels (Pre-K through fifth) in 2009. She has been involved obtaining many grants, including the following noted by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen List: "Virtual Vistas: Connecting our Classrooms to the World; Mechanical Sculpture through the 4 Re’s (reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose; Get the Facts! Nonfiction Science and Writing Lessons from an Author-in-Residence; Home Tweet Home; Create and Shake; Try “Acting” Like a Scientist!; Imagineering and Catapults!; Future Galileos; Weather Watchers."

"I'm completely honored to be nominated by a peer, to go through this process with my peers," said Billing, who has taught math at Hall since 2008. Billing is an MIT graduate with a bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. 

Billing is also Hall's head varsity baseball coach, head JV basketball coach, and assistant varsity basketball coach. He was selected to participate in an American American Institutes for Research “High School Math Teaching Study” in 2012-2013.

Mastroianni also said the selection process had been "incredible."

"After asking 'What, me?' It was a numbing, daunting," he said.

Mastoianni is also a professional musician who came to Hall from New Canaan High School 15 years ago.  In 2002, he was named  one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra Magazine. 

For Mastroianni, the selection process happened at the same time as Hall's Pops 'N Jazz, his biggest event of the year. But he said he would encourage anyone to go through the selection process which provided a great chance for self-reflection through preparation of two essays and a videotaped lesson.

"I've been enjoying the ride and what a great ride it's been," he said.

West Hartford's 2013 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the West Hartford Education Association/West Hartford Administrator's Annual Recognition Dinner on May 23.


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