Norwalk Public Schools Announces District's Nominee For 2027 CT Teacher Of The Year

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk Public Schools announced Monday that Michelle Suda has been named the district's nominee for the 2027 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

According to a news release provided by the district, Suda is a fifth grade teacher at Marvin Elementary School and was chosen as 2026 Teacher of the Year for NPS.

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Suda has served the Norwalk Public Schools community for over 30 years, both as a teacher and a coach, and drew on that wealth of experience to address her colleagues across the district to deliver an inspiring speech Monday at the annual NPS convocation ceremony, according to the release.

"I've always believed that the foundation of student education starts with two things: building meaningful relationships and fostering a sense of belonging," Suda said in her remarks.

She also spoke about a classroom mantra called "The G.O.A.T." which she uses to encourage her students to become the greatest version of themselves and help others to do so as well, according to the district.

"I hope every student leaves the classroom knowing: you matter, your voice matters, you belong here," Suda said.

According to the district, Suda has spent her entire teaching career at Marvin Elementary, first as a second grade teacher then as a third grade teacher before moving up to fifth grade at the request of her principal, Sue-Ellen O'Shea.

"She has the ability to make connections with students, and that's just what our fifth-grade students needed," O'Shea said in a video tribute to Suda that premiered during convocation. "And she knows exactly what she wants to get out of them. She knows what their abilities are and where she wants them to go."

The 2027 Connecticut Teacher of the Year ceremony will take place Dec. 2 at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts in Hartford.

All district teachers of the year are honored at the ceremony, according to Norwalk Public Schools.