2006.11.01: November 1, 2006: Headlines: COS - Honduras: Secondary Education: Awards: Danbury News Times: Honduras RPCV Christopher Poulos named Connecticut's Teacher of the Year
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2006.11.01: November 1, 2006: Headlines: COS - Honduras: Secondary Education: Awards: Danbury News Times: Honduras RPCV Christopher Poulos named Connecticut's Teacher of the Year
Honduras RPCV Christopher Poulos named Connecticut's Teacher of the Year
Poulos was praised for serving Joel Barlow and the community. He was the catalyst for the school's world language immersion program, founder of a program in which Spanish students volunteer at Hispanic social service agencies, faculty adviser to the student council, and leader of a summer student trip to Costa Rica. "I thought maybe I should serve my country after college, so I was motivated to join the Peace Corps. I learned quickly what motivated me in life," Poulos said after the hour-long ceremony. "I got to know the Spanish people and decided I would rather have this career than one in business or politics."
Honduras RPCV Christopher Poulos named Connecticut's Teacher of the Year
Barlow educator named state's teacher of year
By Eileen FitzGerald
THE NEWS-TIMES
Caption: CHRISTOPHER POULOS, left, beams as he is applauded by his parents, Betty and Chris Poulos, after his selection as Connecticut Teacher of the Year. The ceremony was at Joel Barlow High School in Redding.
Photo: Cloe Poisson
Poulos, a Spanish teacher at the school since 2000, is Connecticut's Teacher of the Year.
The 31-year-old native and resident of Southington, who changed his life's direction from politics to teaching after serving in the Peace Corps, was gracious and clearly thrilled as colleagues and students surrounded him with affection.
He accepted the honor in the name of all Connecticut teachers and thanked his peers at Joel Barlow for their friendship and support.
"We did this together," Poulos said. "I feel honored and humble to be selected as a representative. It is a great honor and it motivates me as a teacher. I could not have gotten here without the support of students and teachers who have rallied behind me."
Poulos was praised for serving Joel Barlow and the community. He was the catalyst for the school's world language immersion program, founder of a program in which Spanish students volunteer at Hispanic social service agencies, faculty adviser to the student council, and leader of a summer student trip to Costa Rica.
"I thought maybe I should serve my country after college, so I was motivated to join the Peace Corps. I learned quickly what motivated me in life," Poulos said after the hour-long ceremony. "I got to know the Spanish people and decided I would rather have this career than one in business or politics."
Poulos was selected over 48,000 teachers in the state for the honor, the first time it was awarded to a teacher who entered the profession through the Alternate Route to Certification Program. He now joins the field of candidates for the National Teacher of the Year honor.
"He's the greatest Spanish teacher. He always has us do interactive stuff like oral presentations in front of the class or talking to other members of the class rather than just writing things down,'' said 17-year-old senior Leah Christiani.
"It's cool'' that he won, said sophomore Dan DeSalva, 15. "He deserves it. He cares about his students. He knows who's on sports teams and he wishes us luck. He jokes around with us.
"He's hard but he's a good teacher. I've learned more in one semester with him than in a whole year with some other teachers," DeSalva said.
Region 9 Superintendent Allen Fossbender described seeing Poulos in his classroom at 4:30 p.m. one afternoon helping a student who was struggling with a lesson.
"He is most qualified to be honored with this award. He cares deeply about students. His mission is to empower them to believe in themselves and help them reach their potential,'' Fossbender said. "He celebrates their success and if they falter, he is there by their side."
Poulos graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in leadership studies, and after 27 months with the Peace Corps in Honduras enrolled in Connecticut's Alternate Route to Certification Program. He later received a master's degree in teaching of Spanish from Teachers' College of Columbia University. He and his wife, Helen, are expecting a baby in March.
Poulos is also an adjunct professor of Spanish at Fairfield University and is enrolled in a sixth-year degree program in educational administration at the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education.
He plans to use the platform the award provides to share his philosophy about teaching.
"Students must come first,'' he said. "All decisions must be made with the thought of 'how will this affect the students?' Teachers are in a school because of the students and must think of what's best for students."
Poulos' parents, Betty and Chris, watched with pride as interim commissioner for education George Coleman honored their son. His mother, a second-grade teacher, said her third-born son was always charismatic and easy going. She described his time in the Peace Corps as life altering.
"Since he was a little boy he's always been accepting of people," she said. "He's never been judgmental."
Junior Megan Procaccini, a member of the student council, called Poulos an enthusiastic role model.
"He has touched many people's lives. He's a friend, a supporter, a mediator, a volunteer,'' she said. "Quite simply, he is the best there is."
Contact Eileen FitzGerald
at eileenf@newstimes.com
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Headlines: November, 2006; COS - Honduras; Directory of Honduras RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Honduras RPCVs; Secondary Education; Awards; Connecticut
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Story Source: Danbury News Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Honduras; Secondary Education; Awards
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