Hall Of Fame Teacher Honored By Southington Council

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Unlike his recent election to the state legislature, Southington resident Christopher Poulos' recognition before the Southington Town Council was far from up in the air.

Of course, Poulos wasn't honored for anything political Nov. 28.

He was honored by the council for being one of the best teachers in country ... period.

Last April, Poulos, 47, was recognized as one of five inductees into the National Teacher's Hall of Fame for 2022, an honor he was nominated for the prior year.

Late last month, Southington's top elected body honored the Spanish teacher — who has taught at Joel Barlow High School in Redding for 23 years — for the prestigious designation.

Poulos, a Democrat, is a familiar name and face in Southington, serving on the town's top elected body from 2017-21 prior to winning a seat in the state legislature early last month.

"As many of you know, Chris was on the town council and also received a very noted award," said Southington Town Council Chairperson Victoria Triano, a Republican.

Poulos couldn't make the council ceremony due to a prior obligation, but he did relay through town officials his excitement at being honored.

The National Teachers Hall of Fame was created in 1989 and it honors veteran teachers nationwide with at least two decades of experience.

Education awards are nothing new to Poulos, who was Connecticut's state Teacher of the Year in 2007.

"Mr. Poulos indicated that he was motivated to become a teacher after serving with the Peace Corps. in Honduras and felt it was the best way he could provide public service," reads the town proclamation honoring Poulos.

Although Poulos teaches Spanish, he gave the rest of the state a lesson in democracy and the importance of voting during the November elections.

That's because he defeated his GOP challenger for the 81st House District seat by a single vote, a vote that was finalized via a recount.

Poulos earned 5,297 votes and Republican Tony Morrison earned 5,296 votes to represent the district, which includes most of Southington, the lone town in the 81st.

The single vote turned a traditionally Republican post Democrat in a mostly GOP town.

But education, not politics, is what had a bipartisan council feting the veteran teacher.

Said Triano, "We congratulate Chris on that honor and its been a while coming. We're very happy that he received that award."

For the minutes of the Nov. 28 Southington Town Council meeting and the official proclamation, click on this link.

For more information on Southington resident Christopher Poulos' education career, click on this link.

From Oct. 9: 'Candidate Profile: Christopher Poulos, 81st House District'

From Nov. 15: '1 Vote Decides Southington State Representative Race'