Shirley Gonzalez Named NHPS Teacher Of The Year

by Maya McFadden The New Haven independent

Worthington Hooker School Spanish teacher Shirley Gonzalez has been named New Haven’s 2025 teacher of the year. 

Gonzalez was one of three candidates nominated by district colleagues for the annual recognition. 

The superintendent announced the nominees and winner at Monday’s latest Board of Education meeting, which was held at John C. Daniels School. The other nominees were Wexler-Grant’s Lauren Closs and Truman School’s Christina Marchitto. 

Each of the nominees were presented with flowers by New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) human resources staff during Monday’s meeting.

Gonzalez has been an NHPS teacher since 2014. She has been teaching at Hooker since 2017. In addition to teaching Spanish, she also serves as a restorative practices mentor, meaning she hosts restorative circles to build community with staff and students.

“Shirley is a strong advocate for equitable access to learning for all,” Supt. Madeline Negrón said on Monday. ​“If you visit her class, it is evident that she strives to create an inclusive classroom environment where all her students feel welcome to participate. By employing a holistic, compassionate approach to teaching that considers the unique traits and diverse learning abilities of each student, she enables all her students to feel successful in her classes and those of others.”

Gonzalez described the award as an ​“incredible honor.” She said New Haven has an amazing talent pool of teachers and congratulated the other nominees. She thanked Hooker Principal Margaret Gethings, Hooker’s teaching staff, and her family. 

Fellow teacher-of-the-year nominee Lauren Closs is a 15-year teaching veteran. She joined NHPS in 2014 as a special education teacher at West Rock STREAM Academy. There she was part of the turnaround team that in three years moved the school from a category 5 to category 3 status. 

After six years in special education, Closs moved into general education in 2021 to teach fourth grade at Wexler-Grant. 

“In her classroom, Lauren strives to create a safe and welcoming space where her students are encouraged to take risks, meet high expectations, and experience meaningful success,” Negrón said Monday. 

Nominee Christina Marchitto is a first-grade teacher at Truman. She’s a 21-year teaching veteran and has taught first, second, third, and fourth grades. Her classroom is typically full of conversation, collaboration, hands-on learning, and play, supporters said on Monday.

“Christina understands the importance of building strong relationships, not only with students but also with their families. Developing these connections fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork that ultimately benefits the children in countless ways. Through these relationships, she is better able to understand and support each student’s unique learning style,” Negrón stated.

Madeline Negrón, Shirley Gonzalez, Lauren Closs, Christina Marchitto, and Leslie Blatteau.