1st Grade Teacher Honored For Student Support During Coronavirus

MANSFIELD, CT – A Mansfield Public School Teacher has been named Teacher of the Year by State Representative Gregory Haddad for going above and beyond, working and volunteering to help the community through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ashley Rancourt is a first grade teacher at Southeast Elementary School who has been dedicated to helping her students during this very challenging time. She has set up small group zoom meeting, video lessons and one-on-one video phone calls in order to provide much needed support to each of her students.

"Mrs. Rancourt has used technology to reach her students and make sure she's meeting their individual needs," Rep. Haddad said in a prepared statement. "I know, my first grade daughter Natalie is one of them."

Rancourt was selected from a group of 17 nominees. According to Shamin S. Patwa, Director of Mansfield Public Schools Student Support Services, Rancourt has been able to include both social and emotional development into her work in building a classroom community.

"As one parent noted, 'I am blown away by the things they are learning and bringing home... [Ashley] makes learning fun, and has a vibrant, inclusive classroom where the children take away knowledge and exceptional life skills as well,'" Patwa said in a prepared statement. "Ashley is a wonderful representative of the best that Mansfield has to offer."

Rep. Haddad has also recognized Mansfield Public Schools administrators and all teachers who have worked to keep students on track this spring as "community heroes."