CT Teacher Nominated For National Teacher Of The Year Award

BRISTOL, CT — A science teacher at Bristol Eastern High School has been has been nominated as one of five teachers for National Teacher of the Year, according to a statement from Gov. Ned Lamont. Carolyn Kielma was chosen by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) for the honor.

Kielma was recently selected as the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

The five finalists will be interviewed by the National Teacher of the Year Program’s Selection Committee, which is managed by CCSSO. The committee’s final selection for the 2023 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.

“Connecticut has the best public school teachers in the nation, and I am delighted to hear that our extraordinary teachers are receiving national recognition for their service,” Lamont said in a statement. “Ms. Kielma has provided so many students in the Bristol Public Schools system with a top-level education, and I’ve heard nothing but extraordinary compliments about her from her colleagues and students, many of whom I had the honor of meeting late last year when we visited Bristol Eastern High School to surprise Ms. Kielma with the announcement that she has been selected as Connecticut Teacher of the Year.”

Kielma said that she "cannot wait to head to our nation’s capital and get to work to elevate this career."

“I am ready to work with my teacher colleagues across all disciplines and grade levels, states and territories to reform policy and practice that continues to promote equity and inclusion, while providing opportunities for all of our scholars to be successful," Kielma said in a statement.

Kielma has taught science to students in Connecticut since 2002. For the last 15 years, she has taught biology, biotechnology and forensics, environmental science, anatomy and physiology, and the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class at Bristol Eastern High School.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Susquehanna University and a master of science degree in secondary education from the University of New Haven.

As AVID coordinator at her school, Kielma works to close the achievement gap by providing opportunities that prepare all students for college readiness and success, according to the statement.

She provides professional development for teachers across her district and travels nationwide to train teachers in engagement strategies that promote equity and inclusion.

Kielma recently received a fellowship grant from Fund for Teachers to study wolves, bears, and elk at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and within Yellowstone National Park and share her experiences virtually with her students.

She also coordinates STEMonday, a monthly science, technology, engineering, and mathematics challenge that connects and builds relationships between elementary and high school students.