Congratulations to Trumbull's Teacher of the year for 2011

Paula Antunes Teixeira

Paula was educated at Sacred Heart University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a Masters in Secondary Education and soon to be awarded a Sixth Year Certificate in both Educational Technology and Advanced Studies.  She cultivated her childhood experiences as a non-English speaking student into a successful and accomplished World Language teacher.  She continues to promote the values instilled in her by her parents who immigrated from Portugal over 25 years ago.

Mrs Teixeira's classroom is a place where her students are valued and respected, in which praise and communication are integral to in-school learning and real life situations. Her colleagues are amazed at how responsive she is to her students in delivering the instructional program, with her subject matter current and relevant, as she prides herself in engaging students who would not otherwise be involved. Another peer describes that to her, educating is not just a job, it is a life journey; another conveys that she is awe of her talents, capabilities, achievements and drive.  And another compares her to the pilots in the movie, “Top Gun” as “the best of the best.”

She is a member of the local, State and National Education Association and very active in Trumbull as a Building Rep, National Convention delegate, Scholarship Committee Chair, and Executive Board member.  Her involvement in the district includes the District Articulation Committee, Book Selection Committee and has served on many interview committees.  She is a member of TEAM District Coordinating Committee and a TEAM and BEST mentor.  Similarly, she is a member of the Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers and the International Foreign Language Honor Society.