Every day students walk into their classroom not knowing they are being taught by the best. They go through their day not knowing their teacher is teacher of the year.

    This year the teacher of the year is Shannon Kotsaftis. Mrs. Kotsaftis has been teaching for nine years, four of which have been spent at Laurel Ledge.

   She started originally with her Associates in Early Childhood, but decided to go back to school to get her Elementary Education years later.

   Kotsaftis started as a third grade teacher at E.B. Kennelly School in Hartford. “I loved Kennelly School, but due to the commute, I decided to apply for positions closer to home,” said Kotsaftis, who lives in prospect with her husband and two daughters.

   The wife and mother enjoys working with the children very much. “Sometimes a concept can be tricky to learn.” Kotsaftis commented, “A teacher has to teach that concept in a variety of ways to help the children understand.”

   It can be tricky to also teach a classroom filled with children the same concept when some may not be able to comprehend it as well or the same way as others.

   “When the child ‘gets it’, it’s an amazing feeling,” she said “for both the student and the teacher.”