Three educators were selected as finalists for the 2026 Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year. After an intensive screening and interview process, a districtwide committee of Hartford Public Schools directors, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and previous award winners narrowed the 40 nominees down to three.
The three finalists are:
Lindsay Hansen, Dance Teacher at Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts – Upper School
Lindsay Hansen is an accomplished dance educator and instructional leader with more than a decade of experience designing standards‑aligned curricula and inspiring students across K–12 and higher education. She teaches and implements developmentally appropriate dance instruction across multiple grade levels. Lindsay also serves as an Early College Experience instructor for Kinesiology at Kinsella and has taught jazz dance as an adjunct professor at Central Connecticut State University. She is in the process of completing an Ed.D. in Dance Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and holds two master’s degrees in Educational Leadership along with her 092 certification.
Taylor Miller, Special Education Teacher at Milner Middle School
Taylor Miller is a special education teacher at Milner Middle School. She was born and raised in Hartford and is a graduate of the Hartford Public Schools system. Taylor attended Batchelder Elementary and Hartford Magnet Middle School before graduating from Capital Preparatory Magnet School in 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Hartford, then continued at the University of Hartford to complete a master’s degree in Special Education. In May of 2024, Taylor received a degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut’s Administrator Preparation Program. She currently holds a Connecticut State Department of Education Certification in Administration and Supervision.
Adam Lynch, Mathematics Teacher at Bulkeley High School
Adam Lynch is an Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry teacher at Bulkeley High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Connecticut in 2020 where he discovered his passion for teaching during his student teaching placements at Bulkeley High School and Hartford Public High School. Adam went on to receive his master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from UConn in 2021. While at UConn, he was an active member and the 2019-2020 President of UConn Future Educators. Adam is committed to fostering a school environment that students and staff want to be part of. He has served as the head coach of the Bulkeley softball team for the past three years.
The three finalists must now submit a series of written essay questions and a videotaped lesson for the final evaluation by the selection committee. You can read more about our 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists here, and see the complete list of 40 nominees here. All nominees are named “Teacher of the Year” at their school, and must be tenured PreK-12 teachers in the Hartford Public Schools system who exhibit exemplary teaching skills, show commitment to the belief that all children can learn, and are active in community and humanitarian affairs.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year will be announced on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at an awards ceremony at the Hartford Downtown Marriott Hotel. The Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony is funded solely by sponsorships and ticket sales.
Hartford Public Schools is grateful to its invaluable event sponsors: Voya Financial Advisors, the Hartford Federation of Teachers, Autumn Transportation, Shipman & Goodwin, LLC, Pullman & Comley, the Robert Patricelli Family Foundation, Downes Construction Group, GCU, Professional Promotions, BRAVE Consulting Solutions, LLC, Educators for Excellence, Ricoh, and Parkville Market.
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-best-teacher-trophy-and-an-apple-7005691/
