Coventry Public Schools is very proud to announce that the Coventry 2024 Teacher of the Year is Coventry High School (CHS) Spanish Teacher Dario Sarmiento Loayza.
Mr. Sarmiento Loayza was one of four finalists selected to be Coventry’s Teacher of the Year. Principals were asked to submit an application packet for a staff member who they believed met the criteria for this recognition. A district-wide committee was formed, which included a Board of Education member, parents, students, and staff. This committee scored the applications and
interviewed each candidate. Based on the scores of the interviews and applications, Mr. Sarmiento Loayza was selected as Coventry’s Teacher of the Year for 2024. Mr. Sarmiento Loayza has submitted his application for Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year.
CHS Principal, Joseph Blake said about Mr. Sarmiento Loayza, “Dario’s Spanish classes serve as a model for how to actively engage students in their learning. Through creative planning, knowledge of his students, and effective use of technology, he creates a culture for learning where students expect and are eager to practice the target language through discussion of meaningful topics,
consistent collaboration with peers, and a climate where students feel safe to take risks in advancing their use of Spanish in conversation.”
Other candidates included:
• Elizabeth Marques, Coventry Grammar School Reading Teacher
• Lisa Dutton, G.H. Robertson School Physical Education Teacher
• Marybeth Murdoch, Capt. Nathan Hale School Library Media Specialist
Each of the four participants received recognition at Convocation held on Monday, August 28. Additionally, Mr. Sarmiento Loayza was honored at the Board of Education meeting held on August 31. Senator Jeff Gordon attended the Board meeting and presented Mr. Sarmiento Loayza with an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly.
This information was provided by Dr. David J. Petrone, Superintendent of Schools. For further information, please contact his office at 860-742-7317 x2.