Hartford Public Schools is pleased to announce that our 2025 Teacher of the Year is Ashantee Hyman, a science teacher from Milner Middle School. The announcement was made at a ceremony tonight at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.
Ashantee Hyman is an eighth-grade science teacher at Milner Middle School and a proud Hartford native. Attending Annie Fisher School and Hartford Magnet School, and graduating from Weaver High School (Class of 2008), she returned to her roots to inspire and empower the next generation of thinkers, doers, and change-makers. Ms. Hyman holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut. Her journey into education began while leading STEM programming at the Wilson-Gray YMCA, which sparked a passion for teaching. She became a substitute teacher in 2016 and joined Teach for America in 2017. She later earned her master’s in Secondary Education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Johns Hopkins University, where her research focuses on educational technology, the Next Generation Science Standards, and student-centered, equity-driven instruction.
Ashantee Hyman, an eighth-grade science teacher at Milner Middle School presents her acceptance speech for the title of Hartford Public Schools 2025 Teacher of the Year
“Ms. Hyman truly exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding teacher in Hartford Public Schools,” said Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez. “Her innovative approach to education, passion for providing equitable opportunities for students, and belief in every students’ potential for success is why she was chosen as Teacher of the Year. I am deeply grateful for her exceptional teaching and its transformative impact on our students. Congratulations to Ms. Hyman on this well-deserved honor and to all of our dedicated Teacher of the Year nominees!”
Our Teacher of the Year 2025 Nominees (missing are Paul Zocco of Bulkeley High School and Michael Santee of Burns Latino Studies Academy)
Earlier this year, each one of HPS’ 40 schools nominated one teacher who exhibits exemplary teaching skills and a commitment to the belief that all children can learn and succeed. A district-wide committee made up of HPS directors, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and previous Teacher of the Year winners narrowed the group to three finalists after an intensive screening and interview process. Those finalists were Caitlin Daly, an art teacher at Hartford Public High School, Ashantee Hyman, a Science Teacher at Milner Middle School, and Keon Ruiter, a 2nd-Grade Teacher at Sanchez School. After reviewing each finalists’ written essays and recorded classroom lessons, the committee chose Ms. Hyman as the 2025 Teacher of the Year. You can read more about her mission and experience here.
The HPS Teacher of the Year 2025 Finalists (l. to r.) Keon Ruiter from Sanchez School, Ashantee Hyman from Milner Middle School, and Caitlin Daly from Hartford Public High School
You can view the mini-docs about the three finalists below.
Hartford Public Schools would like to thank the individuals and organizations who made our 2025 Teacher of the Year Ceremony possible. Hartford Public Schools is grateful to its invaluable event sponsors: Voya Financial Advisors, the Hartford Federation of Teachers, Autumn Transportation, Shipman & Goodwin, Pullman & Comley, GCU, the Robert Patricelli Family Foundation, Downes Construction Group, Xpose Photo Booths, ParentSquare, Ricoh, and Parkville Market.
Milner Middle School Principal Leonardo Watson cheers on Ashantee Hyman at the 2025 Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet