Trumbull's CES Names Stacey Cronk Teacher of the Year

Stacey Cronk, a Preschool-Primary special education teacher who works with students who fall within the Autism Spectrum Disorder continuum at Cooperative Educational Services (C.E.S.), has been named the C.E.S. Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Cronk will now be considered for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year for 2015.

“I am so deeply honored to be chosen as the C.E.S. Teacher of the Year,” Mrs. Cronk said. “Being a special education teacher for seventeen years, my students continue to inspire, motivate, and teach me something new each day. I feel blessed to be a part of my students’ and their families’ lives as they begin their educational journeys.”

Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year program emphasizes best practices in teaching. The program is not meant to identify the best teacher, but rather identify and honor those teachers that are distinguished and inspirational role models to their students, verbally and visually exemplifying the teaching profession.

“I am elated to hear that Stacey has been chosen as the Teacher of the Year,” said Eve Mullen, Program Administrator for the Preschool-Primary Learning Center at C.E.S. Special Education Services. “She is an exemplary teacher of young non-verbal students with autism. She has worked incredibly hard to acquire the competencies needed to become a master teacher.”

Mrs. Cronk began her teaching career at C.E.S. and will begin her 18th year this fall as a Special Education Teacher for Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grade 1 in the Preschool-Primary Learning Center.

“Stacey also has great passion, affect, caring and energy for her job that makes her someone who goes above and beyond in all aspects of her work, inclusive of supporting families and colleagues,” Ms. Mullen said.

This is the sixth year C.E.S. has participated in Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year Program. As a candidate for the state 2015 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cronk’s application will be reviewed by at least five members of a statewide selection committee. If she is selected as one of four finalists, she will be observed in the classroom by selection committee members in consideration of the honor.

“The Teacher of the Year program was designed to bring recognition to the many extraordinarily talented teachers who make up our teaching force,” said Evan Pitkoff, Executive Director at C.E.S., “We are pleased to be a part of this program to showcase the talented teachers that we have at C.E.S.”

Mrs. Cronk’s application is currently being reviewed by the state’s selection committee. Through a rigorous screening, the four finalists will be chosen in mid-September and Connecticut Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor will announce the Connecticut Teacher of the Year at the ceremony and conference on Oct. 6, 2014.

Based off a press release from Cooperative Educational Services.