First-generation college student and fifth-year master’s student in the Neag School, Justis Lopez, was inspired by his high school teacher, Ms. Heather Banas, to go into teaching. Well prepared through numerous on campus and community activities, Justis has big plans after graduation.

Sitting in the exact gym where he sat as an elementary school student, Metacomet Elementary School Principal Desi Nesmith was brought to tears when he learned that he had received the Milken Educator Award–nicknamed ”the Oscars of Teaching.”

  In the midst of what Metacomet Elementary School Principal Desi Nesmith believed was an assembly to congratulate students on their reading and writing scores, Nesmith was surprised to learn that he was the reason school staff, community and state officials had gathered. Thursday afternoon, Nesmith was recognized as the 2014 recipient of the Milken Educator […]