Milner Middle School science teacher Ashantee Hyman took home the prestigious award Thursday evening during a ceremony at the Hartford Marriot Downtown.
HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford Public Schools’ 2025 Teacher of the Year was named Thursday night during a ceremony at the Hartford Marriot Downtown.
Milner Middle School eighth-grade science teacher took home the prestigious award, according to a release from the school district.
As a student, Hyman attended Annie Fisher School and Hartford Magnet School before graduating from Weaver High School in 2008. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UConn.
Hyman later attained her master’s in Secondary Education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Johns Hopkins University. Her research is focused on educational technology, the Next Generation Science Standards and student-centered, equity-driven instruction.
As a professional, Hyman stayed local. Before arriving at Milner Middle School, she taught STEM programming at the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth & Family Center, became a substitute teacher and joined Teach for America.
Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said that Hyman exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding teacher in the district. The superintendent congratulated the award recipient on a well-deserved honor.
“[Hyman’s] innovative approach to education, passion for providing equitable opportunities for students and belief in every student’s potential for success is why she was chosen as Teacher of the Year,” Torres-Rodriguez said. “I am deeply grateful for her exceptional teaching and its transformative impact on our students.”
Hyman was chosen after an extensive process, as each of the district’s 40 schools nominated one teacher who exhibits outstanding teaching skills and dedication to the belief that all children can succeed.
A district-wide committee consisting of administrators, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers and previous Teacher of the Year winners in the city narrowed the group to three finalists.
In addition to Hyman, the finalists were Hartford Public High School art teacher Caitlin Daly and second-grade Sanchez School teacher Keon Ruiter. All three educators submitted written essays and recorded classroom lessons.
Ultimately, Hyman was selected as the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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