Hartford Public Schools announce three ‘Teacher of the Year’ finalists

Three educators have been chosen as finalists for the 2024 Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

The annual teacher of the year award is given by a districtwide committee made up of HPS directors, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers , and previous teacher of the year winners after a months-long screening and interview process, according to the district.

A field of 38 candidates was narrowed to just three finalists.

Hartford Public Schools announces Teacher of the Year nominees. Here’s who made the list

Finalists, according to the district in a statement, are:

Angela Blake is a seventh and eighth grade science teacher at Betances STEM Magnet School . Blake, who was born and raised in Hartford, began her career with Hartford Public Schools eight years ago, according to a press release. She previously taught in Hartford Public High Schools’ credit recovery program for high school students who need to make up credits during the school year.

Yasmin Ithier-Vicenty is a second grade teacher at West Middle School, has taught in Hartford for eight years. She began as a behavior technician for the Rise program at McDonough Middle School and West Middle School. Inspired by her mother, who was also a 2024 Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year nominee, Ithier-Vicenty believes in bringing learning to life within her classroom, according to a press release. West Middle School enrolls Pre-K through 5th grade.

Jacqueline Rankin is a math teacher at Bulkeley High School , has also taught for eight years in Hartford. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Rankin began her career student teaching in Hartford. She hopes to foster positive relationships with her students by helping them improve in math and become more confident as whole students.

The three finalists will now submit written essay questions and a videotaped lesson for the final evaluation by the selection committee, according to the district.

Meet Hartford’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. She says her students are ‘amazing human beings’

The 2024 Teacher of the Year will be announced on May 23, 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.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com