Holly Shurtleff Named As Stonington Schools Educator Of the Year

STONINGTON, CT—Special education teacher Holly Shurtleff was named Stonington’s Educator of the Year Friday. Shurtleff was surprised by colleagues at West Vine Street School. Shurtleff has been a special education teacher at the school for six years.

Stonington Public Schools Director of Special Services Allison Van Etten said she was “honored” to work with Shurtleff. The Westerly Sun quoted Van Etten as saying Shurtleff is “as creative a teacher as I’ve ever seen. We’d like to have 300 of you if we could clone you.”

West Vine Street School Principal Alicia Sweet Dawe described Shurtleff as an “incredible and selfless teacher who inspires all of us. You work tirelessly and go above and beyond for our children and are a consummate professional! I feel so fortunate to call you my friend and colleague. Thank you for all you give to our students, staff, and families! You have made such a difference in their lives. You make this principal very proud and humbled.”

West Vine principal Dawe was named 2019 Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

The Sun reported Shurtleff was named Stonington schools Educator of the Year by a committee of previously-honored educators, teachers, and paraprofessional staff.

Congratulations, Holly Shurtleff!