Kim Narciso named Granby Schools’ 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year

Print More

Kim Narciso

Granby Public Schools is proud to announce that Kim Narciso has been selected as the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year. Narciso was recognized for this distinguished honor in a surprise award presentation at her home on Tuesday, June 9.

In celebration of Narciso’s achievement, Dr. Jordan Grossman, superintendent of schools, and members of the Teacher of the Year committee presented Narciso with balloons, flowers, the official Teacher of the Year apple paperweight and a reserved parking sign. Many of Narciso’s family members, including her mother, stepfather, daughter, fiancé and aunt, were also present for the surprise presentation. The event was filmed by Grossman and shared with the Granby Public Schools’ staff later that day. 

Narciso is a first-grade teacher at Kelly Lane Primary School where she has taught for 19 years. Narciso is also a member of the Kelly Lane Leadership Team, the Team Coordinating Committee and the district Equity Team. She is the team leader for first grade and works with her colleagues to review students’ progress and develop lessons during the team’s weekly Professional Learning Community time.

As a member of the district’s Teacher Evaluation and Mentoring Committee, Narciso assists new Kelly Lane teachers as they complete required learning modules and helped to develop Granby’s New Teacher Orientation program, a two-day event in August.

Rebekah Goldberg, a first-year teacher, shared the impact that Narciso has had on her teaching career stating, “Kim has been an amazing role model and leader for me. I admire her ability to care for and work with all students.”

Other Kelly Lane faculty members commented on Narciso’s commitment to her students. Kim Dessert, the Principal of Kelly Lane Primary School, noted that Narciso personalizes instruction for each of her students by creating individualized learning goals and providing each child in her class with exactly what he/she needs to be successful. Jen Miller, a Kelly Lane colleague and former Teacher of the Year, said, “Kim is a dedicated teacher who wants nothing more than to see each and every child in her classroom succeed. She works hard to make sure that happens. She holds children, colleagues and, mostly herself, accountable. Her dedication encourages others to work hard.”

Her devotion to the teaching profession is evident in everything she does to make Kelly Lane a learning community. Narciso was awarded a fellowship from the Fund for Teachers organization that enabled her to attend a week-long creative writing workshop in Barcelona, Spain. Narciso brought back many techniques to inspire her children to express their creativity through the use of a creativity notebook, guided visualization, drawing activities, writing with photographs, and a creativity station. She coordinated a school-wide event called “Kelly Kids Create” in which all Kelly Lane students showcased their creativity by designing mosaics, dream catchers and paper plate animals from recycled materials. Narciso also shared the Fund for Teachers grant writing process with other teachers so they could apply for a grant to enhance their teaching expertise.

Narciso is an exceptional teacher who works hard every day to provide an outstanding educational experience for her students and to enhance the Kelly Lane learning community. A Kelly Lane parent summed it up by saying, “My child is getting a top-notch, first grade education from someone who is unbelievably talented in her field and a wonderful human being.”

Narciso will be recognized on Nov. 10 at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, along with Teacher of the Year recipients from all Connecticut school districts.

Editor’s note: The writer was the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Granby Public Schools.