Bedford High School Spanish Educator Named Teacher Of The Year

BEDFORD, NH — A Bedford High School Spanish teacher was named teacher of the year for New Hampshire on Wednesday.

Candice DeAngelis was chosen out of 331 nominees and feted in a surprise ceremony at the school on Wednesday. According to the judges, she was selected due to her contagious energy in the classroom, ability to engage students fully, and wide-reaching ability to make learning a foreign language fun for students.

Frank Edelblut, the commissioner for the New Hampshire Department of Education, said DeAngelis embodied the essence of what it meant to be an outstanding teacher.

“Those who know Señora DeAngelis best describe her as empathetic, approachable, dedicated, and the perfect role model,” he said. “Today, we are celebrating and recognizing this esteemed educator who has consistently gone above and beyond to create and display enthusiasm for each and every lesson in the classroom … we are lucky to have a teacher whose energy is contagious and whose extraordinary efforts have made learning Spanish both entertaining and effective.”

DeAngelis will spend the next year being an ambassador for educators throughout the state. In a couple of months, DeAngelis, as well as the finalists and semi-finalists, will be invited to a Leadership in Education Banquet to celebrate their accomplishments.

Bedford’s school superintendent, Mike Fournier, called DeAngelis an exemplary educator who was deeply committed to her students.

“Her dedication to creating a positive and nurturing environment makes her a true asset to our school district,” he said. “She is not only a treasure to our community but also an inspiration to every student she teaches.”

DeAngelis was praised by Principal Bob Jozokos of Bedford High School and Christine Brennan, the deputy commissioner for the department, who said her positive impact extended beyond the classroom.

“Each year we are impressed with the number of high-quality applicants considered throughout the rigorous Teacher of the Year selection process,” she said. “This recognition is a true testament to Candice’s dedication, passion, and hard work in shaping the minds and hearts of her students.”

DeAngelis has been a teacher for 18 years. She has been at Bedford High School for about eight years. Before that, she worked at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston and Londonderry High School.

“I am a believer in telling students how much I appreciate them and creating silly moments within my teaching, all while immersing my students in language and curiosity for learning,” she wrote in her application essay. “I also teach grit, perseverance, and curiosity that lead to deep-rooted self-motivation.”

DeAngelis will also be New Hampshire’s entry for the National Teacher of the Year award.

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