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Brian Benesch named 2026 Connecticut Teacher of the Year; officials praise teachers’ role in students’ recovery and safety
Summary
Connecticut named Brian Benesch of the Danbury School District its 2026 Teacher of the Year at a statewide ceremony where Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell Tucker lauded educators for helping students recover from COVID disruptions, improving assessment results, and supporting vulnerable students.
Brian Benesch, a sixth‑grade social studies teacher at Rogers Park Middle School, was named the 2026 Connecticut Teacher of the Year at a statewide awards ceremony at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford. Danbury Superintendent Dr. Cara Casimiro introduced Benesch’s selection, citing his student‑driven programs — including Park 21, project‑based learning courses and a student‑run podcast — and the more than $500,000 he has helped secure for classroom resources.
Gov. Ned Lamont praised teachers as the people who “make history come to life,” saying educators help students recover from isolation during the COVID pandemic and “explain” complex, difficult moments so students can move forward. “It’s folks…
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