MONROE, Conn. — Superintendent Joseph Kobza announced that Jockey Hollow STEM teacher Susan Russell has been selected as the 2026-27 Monroe Public Schools Teacher of the Year. The announcement was first made during the district’s End-of-Year Celebration at Tashua Knolls on Thursday, June 4th.
“Susan is a fantastic selection for Monroe’s Teacher of the Year,” Kobza said. “She is a consummate professional and passionate teacher who is driven to see everyone, students and staff alike, succeed. She embodies the excellence that we embrace in the Monroe Public Schools.”
The Teacher of the Year committee, composed of past honorees and building principals, received more than 100 nominations for 45 different teachers this year. Nominations came from teachers, administrators, paraeducators, parents and students.
Russell’s nominations from students consistently highlighted her ability to combine high expectations with an environment of safety and connection. Described by students as “kind, devoted, and connected,” multiple nominators credited her with fundamentally shifting how they viewed their subject matter.
One student noted that Russell “challenged me in many new ways, which at first made me uncomfortable, but I eventually learned that she believes her students can handle high standards.”
Parents echoed these sentiments, emphasizing her skill in fostering long-term critical thinking rather than simple memorization.
One parent shared: “She takes seriously the responsibility of imparting knowledge to her students and equipping them with the skills needed to solve problems independently, rather than simply providing solutions. She fosters an environment where children feel comfortable while also encouraging and challenging them to persevere.”
Russell is widely praised by colleagues as a data-driven, meticulously organized educator who balances strict preparation with a tireless work ethic, giving her energy generously both inside and outside the classroom.
Fellow STEM teacher Nancy Shaw praised Russell for always looking to improve her craft by joining countless committees on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Shaw described Russell as the “heart and soul” of the STEM Academy, always finding new and creative ways to teach math concepts.”
Administrators had nothing but high praise for Russell as well.
Assistant Principal and STEM Director Mark Schwarz described Russell as an “ABC teacher” — one who consistently goes “Above and Beyond the Call of duty” by participating in nearly every committee the district has to offer.
Jockey Hollow/STEM Principal Julia Strong praised Russell’s foundational role in starting the STEM Academy nearly 15 years ago. Strong remarked that Russell “serves as a role model by practicing a simple but profound professional cycle: committed to learning about the students in front of her, committed to discovering the best ways to reach them, and then committing to the learning of every single student.”
As the Monroe Teacher of the Year, Russell will advance to the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year competition. This fall, she will be celebrated alongside her fellow district honorees from across the state during a ceremony at The Bushnell in Hartford.
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