Schools

Whitney HS North Teacher Is Named ACES Teacher of the Year

Hamden teacher Carissa Lockett has been named Teacher of the Year.


Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) has announced that Carissa Lockett, a teacher at ACES Whitney High School North in Hamden, has been named its 2014 – 2015 Teacher of the Year.

Lockett will receive the award at a reception at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at ACES Whitney High School North, 205 Skiff St., Hamden. Winners of the Executive Director Awards also will be recognized at the reception.

From the start of her ACES career in 2008, Lockett knew that “ACES would be a great place for me professionally.”  She began her career at ACES teaching at two ACES magnet schools, Collaborative Alternative Magnet School (CAMS) which is now ACES Center for Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders, and ACES Thomas Edison Middle School, a science and technology magnet school in Meriden. 

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Lockett said she was surprised and deeply moved by the news of her selection as ACES Teacher of the Year. “I’ve worked with and know some amazing teachers. It means a lot to me that someone saw something unique in me and took the time to nominate me for this very special honor,” Lockett said in a statement. 

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As a special education teacher, Lockett utilizes her professional knowledge and experience with students with emotional and behavioral difficulties. She credits the support from family and friends as the emotional support needed to meet every challenge with a positive attitude.  

“Carissa Lockett is an outstanding example of ACES dedicated teaching staff. I’m very impressed by her involvement with her students, and her enthusiastic, thoughtful approach to teaching,” Dr. Craig W. Edmondson, ACES Executive Director, said in the statement. 

When not in the classroom, Lockett enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. “As a mother of four young children, I understand the power of patience, enthusiasm and creativity as learning tools,” Lockett said. Lockett grew up in Bethany, and is a graduate of Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Clark University in Worcester, MA.  Ms. Lockett earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing her 6th year degree in Educational Leadership. As the selected Teacher of the Year from ACES, she is eligible to participate in a statewide application process for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year.  

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ACES Whitney High School North provides a positive, therapeutic, individualized and multifaceted program for high school students with significant behavioral, mental health and learning issues. It offers an expansive vocational program that includes training and work experience in the culinary, automotive and graphic design fields. ACES is the Regional Educational Service Center for the 25 school districts in South Central, Connecticut. ACES programs, schools and services include adult and vocational programs, magnet schools and interdistrict programs, children and adolescent services, professional development and school improvement, and technology services. For additional information, visit www.aces.org.


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