Charter Oak International Academy teacher Christina Fedolfi has been named the 2025 West Hartford Teacher of the Year.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s Teacher of the Year was announced Wednesday afternoon by the Teacher of the Year Committee at a gathering at Rockledge Grille.

The winner – chosen through a rigorous process that began with a nomination, submission of a resume and an essay, recommendation letters, and having a lesson videotaped, and formal interviews by the Teacher of the Year Committee – is Charter Oak International Academy fifth grade teacher Christina Fedolfi.

Fedolfi has been teaching in West Hartford Public Schools for the past 10 years, but overall has 31 years of teaching experience. She spent her first two years in the district teaching special education at Wolcott Elementary School and moved to Charter Oak in 2017. In 2021 she transitioned to general education, and has taught both fourth and fifth grade.

Fedolfi has a BA from Wesleyan University and her master’s in education from Lesley University, and previously taught in Massachusetts and Maine, and was a consultant working on education reform before joining West Hartford Public Schools.

“She has developed and taught the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Curriculum and her background in special education and trauma-informed instruction make her an invaluable resource and incredible teacher,” Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus said when he introduced the three Teacher of the Year finalists to the Board of Education on May 6. He added that Fedolfi demonstrates her impact far beyond the classroom through participating in various leadership and professional development committees.

Christine Fedolfi with Superintendent Paul Vicinus at the Board of Education meeting on May 6. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

“Christina’s colleagues remarked about her incredible sense of humor, her genuine connections with others, and her steadfast commitment to colleagues and friends,” Vicinus said. She has a powerful impact on students through her “Genius Hour” projects and is a fierce advocate for students while being authentic and honest and is known as a “connector.”

Fedolfi told We-Ha.com that she had been nominated before, but this is the first time she has accepted the opportunity. She said she’s usually the one nominating others, but finally had the time and space this year to complete the rigorous evaluation process.

“I will do anything to motivate students,” Fedolfi said, adding that as a reward, she allows students to do her hair and makeup for the day, which has led to some unusual appearances. “It’s lots of fun to be able to do things like that to motivate them. … They know me as the silly teacher,” she said.

“School should be fun and memorable for students,” Fedolfi said. She said she’s committed to helping families “raise wonderful people.”

The other two finalists for West Hartford’s 2025 Teacher of the Year were Danielle Drozd, a seventh grade math teacher and team leader at King Philip Middle School and Erica Graff, a school counselor at King Philip Middle School.

Conard High School science teacher Nora McHugh was the 2024 Teacher of the Year.

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