Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced today that Western Middle School's Mrs. Tyler Mecozzi is GPS’ selection for Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program.
She will be recognized at Wednesday’s Board of Education virtual meeting for this honor.
“Mrs. Mecozzi is a wonderful representative of our 2022 Distinguished Teachers and all educators at Greenwich Public Schools We are so proud of her accomplishments and everything she has to offer to the entire Western Middle School community,” Dr. Jones said. “Observing her in the classroom was like watching a master class on teaching middle school science. She made a very detailed lesson plan look easy. Every student was engaged and genuinely enjoying their learning. Her students were analyzing what was happening with an eager discussion. She reaches and teaches every student, differentiating the lesson in a way to meet the needs of every student.”
“Thank you to my nominators at Western Middle School, the Distinguished Teacher Awards Committee, and Dr. Jones for the honor to represent Greenwich in the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year program,” Mrs. Mecozzi said. “The past 11 years, and especially this last one, have provided incredible opportunities for me to learn and grow as an educator alongside my dedicated colleagues and administrators who work tirelessly to make Western a positive environment. Our resilient students serve as my daily inspiration to deliver the greatest possible school experience and capitalize on the unique privilege to make a difference in their lives.”
According to the CSDE, the Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the “best” teacher; rather, to identify, from among many outstanding teachers of the year, one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession. The program celebrates excellence in teaching by recognizing teachers who have inspired a love for learning in their students and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.
“We at Western Middle School are so proud of Mrs. Mecozzi,” WMS Principal Mr. Gordon Beinstein said. “The best thing that can be said about her is the best thing anyone can say about a teacher: she is in it for her students. While she is an expert in her content area, and she is a leader in our school, everything she does is motivated by what is best for all of the students in her room. Her connection to her kids is deep and it is real. They love her class because they love her, and as a result, they give her their best effort.”
Mrs. Mecozzi has been a science teacher at WMS for the last 11 years. During her tenure, she has taught seventh and eighth grade science, seventh grade STEM electives as well as mathematics support classes. Over the past nine years, she has been the science department learning facilitator, taking the lead in developing and implementing the District curricula. Mrs. Mecozzi received her bachelor’s degree in Science, Mathematics & Reading Education from Miami (OH) University and a master’s in Teacher Leadership from Quinnipiac University.