East Hartford selects an ‘extraordinary educator,” as 2024 Teacher of the Year

EAST HARTFORD – An author and accomplished writer has been selected as the district’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Gaunet Davis teaches seventh grade English and Language Arts classes at East Hartford Middle School. She is also a skillful writer who published her novel “Foreign” this year, according to school officials.

School officials said that Davis also will represent the school district as an example of what is best in the profession in the statewide Teacher of the Year competition.

Davis found out the news about her selection in her classroom by surprise on Thursday, May 18, district leaders said.

She was selected after a rigorous application and interview process, which began with nominations from other teachers.

Nominees who submit an application, resume and recommendations, and then interviewed by the East Hartford Teacher of the Year committee comprised of former district teachers of the year, Central Office administrators and school principals, officials said in a statement. The committee then visits classrooms of its three finalists and selects the winner.

While she is currently pursuing her Sixth Year Certificate from Central Connecticut State University, Davis has both a master’s degree in English education and her bachelor’s degree in English/professional writing from Lehman College of City University of New York, district officials said.

Davis has been teaching for 20 years, including eight years in East Hartford.

Superintendent of Schools Nathan Quesnel said, in a statement, that Davis is an “extraordinary educator,” who he could not be more proud of her to represent East Hartford Public Schools as Teacher of the Year.

“From her first days in the district, she has made an impression on all of us around what it means to work hard, set high expectations for students and care about a job that’s so important to our community,” he said.

One of her students shared that when she is in Davis’ classroom, she and her peers feel safe.

“Ms. Davis always tries her best to meet us at our level to understand our thought process when completing assignments. She will correct us but then also guides us to come to our own conclusions,” the student said, also in the statement.

Officials said Davis also organized a successful Literacy Night this fall that engaged the school community in literary-focused activities and resources and an initiative with the East Hartford Public Library to provide library cards for students and increase their access to books.

East Hartford Middle School Principal Anthony Menard said that Davis is “an excellent example of someone who goes above and beyond for her students”, as she teaches with her heart.

He also shared the many ways that she has been an asset to colleagues, including her serving on the school Diversity and Equity team, leading her instructional data team, and facilitating professional development on topics such as increasing independent reading and culturally responsive teaching.

The East Hartford Board of Education will formally recognize all building Teachers of the Year at a luncheon at the end of May.