Teacher of the Year

2025-26 Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

The Cheshire School District is proud to announce that Christine DiOrio has been named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. This esteemed recognition honors her exceptional dedication, innovative teaching methods, and profound impact on both her students and the broader educational community.

Christine DiOrio, who has been a valued member of the Cheshire teaching staff for 16 years and previously taught in Bridgeport for seven years, specializes in grades 1, 2, and 5. Her remarkable career reflects a deep commitment to elementary education and a continuous pursuit of excellence.

Recent acclaim for Ms. DiOrio underscores her significant influence. A parent expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We love her! My daughter had her twice, and she was just the best teacher our child ever had. I am so happy.” Such testimonials highlight her dedication to creating a nurturing and effective learning environment.

In addition to her classroom achievements, Christine DiOrio has contributed to the educational community through her roles as a building representative for the Cheshire Education Association and a curriculum writer for English Language Arts. Her ability to listen and communicate effectively has been a significant asset in these roles.

Christine DiOrio is also known for her innovative approach to teaching. She is passionate about using data to inform her instructional practices and embraces action research to continually enhance the quality of her teaching. Her commitment to mentoring new teachers further exemplifies her dedication to fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment.

At the core of Ms. DiOrio’s educational philosophy is the belief that understanding students and their families is essential for building trust, reducing stress, and improving learning outcomes. This personalized approach has not only enriched her students’ educational experiences but also set a high standard for excellence in teaching.

Cheshire Public Schools is excited to honor Katherine Zukis as the 2023-2024 Cheshire Public Schools Teacher of the Year!  Katherine is a First Grade teacher at Norton School. Katherine began her teaching career in New Britain at Diloreto Elementary School as a long term substitute and joined the Cheshire team in 2009 working first at Highland and then at Norton School where she has spent the past thirteen years.

Colleagues who have had the pleasure of encountering Ms. Zukis’ teaching know the warmth that she exudes and the way she makes each and every child feel special. Her colleagues and supervisors recognize how talented she is in growing her students. Her first graders are able to consistently meet their academic goals as a result of the caring, accepting environment she creates that enables all students to take academic risks.

Katherine personifies calm, grace and poise. She welcomes every child to her classroom in the same way that she would want her own children to be received; appreciated for who they are as individuals and called upon to reach their very best potential. Ms Zukis’ teaching exemplifies the interconnectedness of social emotional learning and complex thinking.

Katherine serves on a number of committees including the new schools working group. She is an intervention team leader, district grade level representative and has been a presenter on Responsive Classroom practices within our district sharing her talents with other educators. She also serves as a mentor teacher working with college student interns who are studying to become teachers.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Katherine is a wife and mother to her two children Harper and Ford. In her spare time, Katherine volunteers at her children’s school serving as co-chair of the fundraising committee, coordinator of family-school events and maintains the garden in front of their school.

Katherine stated in her acceptance speech during convocation that how we make children feel, matters. She shared that it is her truest belief that the only way forward in our society is through education. She spoke to the impact an excellent teacher can have. Katherine Zukis is a gifted educator who is not only talented but humble and articulate. Katherine will represent Cheshire’s education community with a grace that will shine a positive light on the profession and make us all proud to be a part of this calling.