Our 2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists
Hartford Public Schools is pleased to announce the finalists for 2025 Teacher of the Year. The three outstanding teachers were selected by a district-wide committee made up of Hartford Public Schools directors, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and previous award winners. The finalists will be asked to complete a series of written essay questions and submit a videotaped lesson for the final evaluation. Our winner will be announce on May 22. You can see all of our 2025 Nominees here. These teachers were nominated by their schools for their outstanding work in service of our students.
Ashantee Hyman, Science Teacher, Milner Middle School
Ashantee Hyman is an eighth-grade science teacher at Milner Middle School and a proud Hartford native. A product of Annie Fisher, Hartford Magnet, and a graduate of Weaver High School (Class of 2008), she returned to her roots to inspire and empower the next generation of thinkers, doers, and change-makers.
Ms. Hyman holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut. Her journey into education began while leading STEM programming at the Wilson-Gray YMCA, which sparked a passion for teaching. She became a substitute teacher in 2016 and joined Teach for America in 2017. She later earned her master’s in Secondary Education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) at Johns Hopkins University, where her research focuses on educational technology, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and student-centered, equity-driven instruction.
Rooted in standards-aligned and data-informed practices, Ms. Hyman has seen tremendous growth in student achievement on summative assessments. In her classroom, students regularly engage in reflection and goal setting—a process they call “Climbing the Blue Mountain.” She believes that when students are active participants in their own growth, they develop a deeper sense of ownership and a lasting growth mindset.
Ashantee is deeply passionate about leveraging technology to create meaningful science and engineering experiences, and she views student projects as platforms for empowerment and voice. Her greatest motivation comes from watching students—especially those often underestimated—rise, lead, and shine. She sees it as her responsibility to create a dynamic, inclusive classroom where every learner is equipped to thrive.
Caitlin Daly, Art Teacher, Hartford Public High School
Caitlin Daly is a passionate art teacher at Hartford Public High School. Since 2013, her dedication to expanding student opportunities has led her to teach English, Capstone, and Visual Arts within Hartford Public Schools. A committed lifelong learner, Caitlin holds a BA in Literature, advanced degrees in Visual Art and Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently studying Educational Leadership to further refine her skillset.
As an arts educator, Caitlin has developed various visual arts curricula for the district and secured vital resources through successful fundraising and grant writing, directly enhancing student learning in courses including Foundations of Art, Painting, and 3-D Art. One result of her initiative includes the state-of-the-art ceramics studio at HPHS, which opened for classes this spring. Caitlin creates impactful real-world connections by organizing biannual field trips and fostering partnerships near and far with organizations such as Colorado Glassworks and Open Studio Hartford. For the past four years, she has also played a significant role in organizing the Hartford Youth Arts Renaissance, an annual event celebrating the artistry of students at Hartford Public Schools.
Caitlin actively supports her colleagues as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and Unified Arts Department Lead, facilitating professional development and collaborating with educational consultants to share best practices. She also supports new teachers as a CTTEAM mentor. Her belief in collaboration is evident in her active presence throughout the school. When she isn’t teaching you might find her visiting her colleagues’ classrooms to support instruction and engage in learning alongside students.
Keon Ruiter, 2nd-Grade Teacher, Sanchez School
Keon Ruiter is a second-grade teacher at María Sánchez Elementary School. This is his tenth year teaching in Hartford and his 18th year in the classroom. He earned both his bachelor's degree in Journalism and his master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After beginning his teaching career in Massachusetts, Keon joined Hartford Public Schools, where he has continued to grow as an educator and leader. He later earned a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Administration from Central Connecticut State University and completed the ARCTEL program to receive his TESOL endorsement.
Throughout his time in HPS, Keon has served in numerous school and district leadership roles. His classroom was one of the first to serve as a math lab classroom, and it has since been recognized as an elementary lab classroom for instructional modeling. He has facilitated professional development at both the school and district levels in literacy and math, including training in Wit & Wisdom. Keon also served as co-lead teacher and grant writer for the ESSR grant, playing a key role in securing funding to support students and families.
Keon is an active member of the Sánchez community and a driving force behind initiatives that strengthen school culture. He has led six highly successful Family Fun Nights, supervised after-school clubs, and supported the implementation of the Rooster’s Nest, a reward-based space that promotes positive behavior and attendance. His work on the school’s Heritage and Culture Committee reflects his passion for celebrating student identity and fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment.
Mentorship is one of Keon’s greatest sources of pride. Many student teachers have trained in his classroom, and several now serve as teachers within HPS—proof of his influence on the next generation of educators. He is reflective and collaborative, known for welcoming coaching and continuously refining his instruction to ensure equitable access to grade-level content, particularly for multilingual learners.
Outside of school, Keon works part-time as a bookseller at River Bend Bookshop and is a voracious reader. He is also a cat dad, husband, uncle, baker, and avid Lego builder. Whether in or out of the classroom, Keon brings creativity, joy, and a deep sense of care to everything he does.
