Simsbury Names Teacher of the Year

Simsbury High School Spanish teacher Jan Ferrier Sands is the 2015 Kathleen Magowan Simsbury Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the school district’s morning “welcome back” gathering for teachers on August 24, 2015.

Simsbury’s annual Teacher of the Year program was renamed recently to honor former teacher Kathleen Magowan, a Simsbury elementary school teacher for 35 years, who upon her passing at the age of 87 on August 17, 2011, left a generous bequest to the district. The Teacher of the Year honoree traditionally receives $1,200 in district professional development funds; the Magowan Fund provides an additional $2,500 so that the honoree can attend a national conference of their choosing.

At the assembly, Simsbury’s 2014 Teacher of the Year, Central School Kindergarten teacher Georgia Austin, introduced Sands, who received a standing ovation from her colleagues. Said Georgia, “If you google ‘dedication,’ Jan’s picture would be there.”

Sands noted how humbled she was to represent her fellow teachers. She said, “Teachers have always been my heroes.”

Now in her 36th year of teaching, Sands began her career in Simsbury at age 21. Living with her parents at the time, she commented to them, “These Simsbury teachers have such high standards… they demand excellence…excellence from themselves, excellence from each other, and excellence from their students.”

Sands has since risen to that challenge set decades ago, and she is grateful that she has the opportunity to share her love of the Spanish language. In her speech she emphasized the importance of counting everyday blessings. Said Sands, “Many, many mornings, I express gratitude for moments spent with my students… I genuinely love teenagers! I give thanks for a student who, after persevering, loudly exclaims. ‘AHA…I get it….’ Is there any sound as wonderful as that?”

With her designation as Simsbury’s Teacher of the Year, Sands is eligible to compete for the honor at the state level. The Connecticut Teacher of the Year will be announced in October. If you would like to read Sands’ convocation speech, please visit www.simsbury.k12.ct.us and click on the link in the News & Events banner.

Photo courtesy Simsbury Public Schools