![Third Grade Teacher at New Lebanon School Chosen for CT State Dept of Education’s 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program Third Grade Teacher at New Lebanon School Chosen for CT State Dept of Education’s 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program](https://i1.wp.com/greenwichfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-07-at-10.40.25-AM-1170x827.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
New Lebanon School held its annual field day on Friday and it featured a happy surprise.
Assistant Principal Lindsey Eisentstein announced that some of the posters at the event were “incorrect.”
As the more than 300 students and their families gathered on the field looked on in bewilderment, Principal Daniel Russo replaced the incorrect sign with a new one to reflect that third-grade teacher Ana María Fals was the district’s selection for the 2025 Connecticut Teacher. Connecticut State Department of Education. Program of the Year!
Photo: Leslie Yager
Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Schools, was on hand to mark the occasion.
He said Ms. Fals was a fantastic representative of the more than 900 wonderful, hard-working certified teachers in Greenwich Public Schools.
“I had the honor of recently visiting her third-grade classroom at New Lebanon School to witness firsthand the work of an outstanding teacher,” Jones said.
“Their students participated from start to finish, without wasting a minute, with fluid transitions, connecting with previous learning, introducing new learning, and students actively participating at their level. It was great to see her monitor and adjust to all the students and, when necessary, seamlessly switch between Spanish and English. It was absolutely wonderful!”
Ms. Fals was selected among six Distinguished Teachers of 2024, including Johanna Kolar, Western Middle School, Mathematics 8; Lian Lam, New Lebanon School, Special Education; Audrey Maurer, New Lebanon School, Music; Ilene Rietsch, North Street School, Kindergarten; and Alyssa Stack, Greenwich High School, Social Studies.
Dr. Daniel Russo, New Lebanon third grade teacher Ana María Fals, and Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones at New Lebanon School, just after the school community learned that the Ms. Fals was the district’s selection for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2025 Connecticut Teacher position. Program of the year. June 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ms. Fals will be recognized for this honor at the Board of Education’s regularly scheduled business meeting on Thursday, June 13.
According to the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the “best” teacher; rather, to identify, among many outstanding teachers of the year, a teacher who will serve as a visible and vocal representative of the best of the profession.
The program celebrates excellence in teaching by recognizing teachers who have inspired a love of learning in their students and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.
For more information about the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program, including its history, purpose, benefits, eligibility requirements, selection process, and duties of the Connecticut Teacher of the Year, visit the CSDE website.
Ana María Fals smiles at Principal Dr. Daniel Russo and Carol Pugliano at New Lebanon School. June 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Photo: Leslie Yager
Photo: Leslie Yager
Photo: Leslie Yager
Photo: Leslie Yager
Photo: Leslie Yager
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