NHDOE photo Sara Casassa, a South Hampton educator selected as New Hampshire's 2022 Teacher of the Year, speaks with media representatives during the 19th annual Leadership in Education awards ceremony in Manchester. (NHDOE photo)

MANCHESTER — In a year that has been harder than the last, Sara Casassa, New Hampshire’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, says it is her vision for public education in the Granite State to be filled with hope, possibilities and a bright future.

“While COVID has upended our worlds, there have been silver linings, and lessons we can take with us as we move forward, ways we can use these experiences to build a bridge between what has been and what might be in our schools and communities,” said Casassa, a language arts and social studies teacher at Barnard School in South Hampton.

COVID also “provided us a chance to rethink the traditional model that has remained unchanged for decades,” she added.

Casassa was addressing fellow educators and regional and state education leaders at the 19th annual Leadership in Education awards ceremony, which took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton last week.

A number of Teacher of the Year finalists and semi-finalists were present, including Victoria Boothroyd, teacher at Wilkins Elementary School in Amherst, Andrew Tyler of Wilton-Lyndeborough Middle-High School, Nancy Fothergill of Windham Center School, Carly Cohen of Auburn Village School and John Thomas of Well Memorial School in Harrisville.

Also honored at the event were several state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, including Tristan Bowen of Riddle Brook School in Bedford, Holly Whitney of West Running Brook Middle School in Derry, John Blackwell of Exeter Academy, John Tietjen of Lebanon High School, Joanna Marcotte of Franklin High School, and Sarah Clemmit of Gorham Middle-High School.

New Hampshire’s National Blue Ribbon Schools — Memorial Elementary School in Bedford and Grantham Village School — were also honored.

Meanwhile, Casassa in her address spoke about the current challenges within the field of education.

“We are living in a time where building those bridges is essential. A time where we need to slow down and listen to each other with respect and civility. Perhaps, this idea of bridge building can be an authentic way for us to gain understanding and empathy, to create trust,” she said.

While teachers can leverage technology, there are things that should remain constant, according to Casassa, who stressed the importance of brick and mortar schools, human contact and frequent moments of joy.

“One essential take away from COVID is that learning can happen anywhere,” she said, adding that the pandemic has challenged educators to be creative and imaginative while also offering personalized learning, determining what individual students need and tailoring a mix of in-person and virtual learning experiences.

Also addressing the gathering was Department of Education deputy commissioner Christine Brennan.

“It is clear that the teaching profession is not easy, but it is also abundantly clear that by investing and supporting skilled educators, New Hampshire’s children will be set up to prosper,” Brennan said.

“Teachers make a world of difference in the lives of children, and we are grateful that they have chosen New Hampshire as the place to pursue their careers.”

–Submitted by Department of Education spokeswoman Kimberly C. Houghton