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(North Haven, CT - June 24, 2020) On June 9th, Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) held their 2021 Teacher of the Year & Executive Director’s Recognition Award ceremony in the gymnasium of the ACES Leeder Hill campus in Hamden, CT. Eighteen nominees and fourteen award recipients were recognized and honored for their outstanding commitment and work to ACES students, families, and community.  

The award ceremony culminated in the recognition of the 2021 ACES Teacher of the Year Award. This award does not attempt to select the "best" teacher; instead, it identifies one teacher among many outstanding teachers to serve as a visible, physical, and vocal representative of what is best in the teaching profession. Recipients are nominated by their peers for demonstrating Teacher of the Year qualities and are then selected to complete an interview process conducted by the ACES Teacher of the Year committee.  

The 2021 ACES Teacher of the Year is Sharee Baskin, a third-grade teacher at ACES Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School in North Haven, CT. Baskin, a Bridgeport-native, grew up valuing the importance of education and excelling in school, but was uncertain of her career path. She attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, before earning her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Baskin began her career in the New Haven Public School system before teaching in Derby and then, ultimately, applying to ACES Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, which she described as the “best decision ever.”  

Baskin has been a third-grade teacher at Wintergreen for the past six years. She exemplifies educational excellence as she inspires a love for learning in her students and distinguishes herself both inside and outside of the classroom. She accepts the challenges of tough days, provides the comfort of a listening ear, and promotes a fun environment. In her acceptance speech, Baskin explained, “Education can and will continue to forever change the world and I am thrilled to be a part of the ride.” ACES is proud to recognize Sharee Baskin as the winner of the 2021 ACES Teacher of the Year Award. 

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About ACES: 

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex Counties. Established in 1969, ACES strives each day to fulfill its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world, one life at a time. ACES serves its members districts and others through an ever-growing array of programs, services and schools that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. As a school district, ACES operates three magnet and eight special education schools. ACES services range from transportation, professional development and school improvement services, technology, translation, international, security, and occupational and physical therapy. ACES operates the Open and Magnet School Parent Choice programs for New Haven County. Its programs include a federally funded Early Head Start Program and ACES ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically disabled adults ages 21 and older. For more information, go to www.aces.org.