On October 14, 2025, the first Portrait of an Educator award will be presented to one teacher who exemplifies all the qualities of a successful educator.
The Portrait of an Educator award is an award introduced this year by South Windsor Public Schools to recognize teachers who go above and beyond in demonstrating engagement, resilience, empowerment, and social consciousness — qualities that are also present in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
What differs, however, is what those four qualities represent for an educator.
Engagement, from an educator’s standpoint, is establishing authentic relationships with their students, providing a better classroom environment. Empowerment means to act with initiative in the classroom, and, for an educator, it means to proactively enhance the experience of all students.
Next, social consciousness can be displayed by a teacher who embraces diversity and removes barriers to students’ learning, and finally resilience can be expressed through approaching obstacles with flexibility and adapting well to change.
To fulfill these qualities is to prove that, as a teacher, you are performing at a high level as an educator. It serves as a testament that you truly care about the success of your students and that you will assist them in achieving a healthier mentality paired with a stronger education.
Mr. Joseph LeRoy, the principal of South Windsor High School, devised this award in order to honor a teacher who aspires to these qualities on a daily basis.
“At South Windsor High School, the 144 certified staff members and the 75+ non certified staff members, we have a collection of adults who really champion for kids, and we wanted to take that concept of a Portrait of an Educator and elevate what that looks like at the high school to be able to show who our teachers are and the great things they do every day,” LeRoy told The Prowl.
What separates this award from the existing “Staffulty of the Month” award is the method of nomination.
“Portrait of an Educator is the nominees coming from our own staff and our own team members who are seeing the great qualities that we want to embody each and every day; we’re recognizing each other as adults for the award,” LeRoy said.
“Staffulty of the Month,” on the other hand, is an award where the students vote for the winner, not the staff themselves.
The first award will be presented October 14, and awards will be given to new members every month. Be sure to be on the lookout for the first winner of the award in the coming weeks!
