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Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

1989 Alumna is Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year

Kim Tobin King, Class of 1989, has been named the 2022 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to represent Connecticut’s teachers and am elated to celebrate creativity in education this year,” said Kim, who was among 50,000 teachers to be nominated for the honor.

Kim works as an elementary art teacher for grades PreKindergarten through 4 at both Southeast Elementary School and the Annie E. Vinton School in Mansfield, Conn.

According to the official state website, the Teacher of the Year program “celebrates excellence in teaching by recognizing teachers who have inspired a love for learning in their students and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.”

The designation of Connecticut Teacher of the Year is decided by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council, a group comprised of former recipients of the honor and representatives from educational organizations, businesses, and the community.

“Kim demonstrates persistence, patience, resilience, courage, and dedication,” said Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Tucker- Russell. “She believes art connects all of us and is determined to perfect her craft, seeks opportunities to improve school community, and creates safe, respectful, and equitable spaces of learning for all.”

For Kim, who has been teaching for 21 years, it’s all about the students.
 
“The students are why I teach and why I love being an educator,” she said. “I think most educators would tend to agree with me. Our students inspire us, challenge us, and weave their way into our hearts and minds. That is why over a decade later I am still in touch with many of my students. I always tell my new students to forgive me if it takes a while for me to remember their names. It is because I will likely never forget it. I have thousands of past students’ names, faces, and memories stored in my head!”
 
She credits the support of Hamden Hall faculty for her desire to continue art saying “I feel fortunate to have had teachers like Mr. Hunter, Dr. Beitch, and Mr. Giaccino. And although I never had, Mrs. Blumberg, I am happy to have worked with her on Faces magazine. Her support and enthusiasm for my artwork meant so much to me.”
 
Kim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and photography from Syracuse University in 1993 and earned her master’s degree in art education from New York University in 1999.
 
Click here to watch the full ceremony.
 
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