Vernon Math Teacher Jennifer Roggi Wins State ATOMIC Award

VERNON, CT — Vernon Center Middle School math teacher Jennifer Roggi, who was named Vernon’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, received the Charlene Tate Nichols award Monday from the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut at the organization’s annual conference.

According to the information released by Vernon Public Schools, the award recognizes commitment to students, mentoring other teachers, helping build students’ numerical fluency, problem solving, creativity, reasoning and love of math, and working with colleagues to improve math skills for students in classrooms, schools and districts.

Roggi said she did not know she had been nominated for the award and was “shocked and flattered” to receive it. “Everybody hopes to make a difference in their job and what they do,” she said.

Megan Staples, an associate professor in UConn’s Neag School of Education, said Roggi “does make a difference” and “consistently goes above and beyond for her students and the wider school community.” Staples said, “I’ve not known another teacher who is such a creative problem solver when it comes to challenges in mathematics education. She is constantly learning - reading, connecting with people, collaborating, reflecting, experimenting. And her efforts pay off.”

Staples also said Roggi works beyond her own classroom. “She is committed to her classroom while always looking to improve the systems that organize math education - whether at the school, district or state level,” Staples continued. “She is always working toward support students in developing critical math skills and positive math identities, so they will continue to grow and use math in ways that empower them in their lives.”

In Vernon, district leaders said Roggi’s work has been well known for years. Vernon Public Schools said she was recommended nearly five years ago for the Connecticut Noyce Math Teacher Leaders Program at UConn’s Neag School. According to the district, that program brings math teachers from Connecticut’s Alliance Districts together to help them improve, develop leadership skills and strengthen math education for students.

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said Roggi supports both students and colleagues. “She expects excellence from her students and has developed strategies to help students reach those expectations and beyond,” Macary said. “She is also a mentor to her fellow teachers, which enables her to influence what is happening in other classrooms and other subject areas. She exemplifies the Vernon teacher.”

Principal Melissa Luke said Roggi’s classroom shows why she connects with students. “When you walk into her classroom, the excitement is contagious,” Luke said. “Students are up and talking about math, working through problems, and challenging each other as they look to find answers. She leads her colleagues to continuously grow professionally and challenge their students in the same way. We are very lucky to have her and she is the most deserving of this award.”