East Hampton Public Schools

Mary Sawyer

Center School 4th Grade Teacher

now Library Media Specialist

2024-25 Teacher of the Year

Mary is driven to personally connect with each one of her students and find the motivation needed to instill a love of learning. Her dedication to her students is unparalleled, and her high expectations for all students drive her to challenge herself daily to motivate reluctant learners. Taking a problem-solving approach to student frustrations, Mary’s positive mindset sets the stage for her students' success. Mary’s approach to teaching instills newfound confidence in her learners as they continue to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. 

Mary’s commitment to personal and professional growth is evident as she continually seeks to refine her practice and maximize the learning space for her students. Her dedication to growth and improvement is a testament to her adaptability and her desire to always provide the best for her students.

Mary is a lead learner among her colleagues, always working to support peers in successfully implementing new programming. In a very short amount of time, Mary can master new learning and build systems in her classroom that support learners of all abilities. Mary consistently leads the implementation of new instructional strategies in her classroom and offers feedback to the team that supports teaching and learning for her colleagues and her students.

Mary is also an active advocate for bringing professional learning that supports the development and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the East Hampton Public Schools. She embodies the skillset, professionalism, and dedication to her craft, which positively influence a grade level and a building.

Mary Sawyer is an exemplary educator who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her students' success. Her innovative teaching methods, dedication to professional growth, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment make her a standout candidate for Connecticut State Teacher of the Year.