When North Branford Public Schools (NBPS) 2017 Teacher of the Year Lauren Danner decided to leave her career as a scientist to become a teacher, she remembers receiving a ubiquitous bit of advice from her colleagues: “You DO NOT want to be a middle school teacher,” says Lauren, laughing.

“And so I did what anyone else would do in that situation, when someone repeatedly tells you can’t do something. I became a middle school teacher!”

The North Branford native took up a chance to teach 8th grade science in West Haven and “I absolutely loved it,” she says. “The connections that I formed with my students were immediate, long-lasting, and extremely rewarding. Finally, I knew that middle school science was my happy place. That is, until I began my job hunt and saw a posting for a long-term substitute position at North Branford High School [NBHS], my alma mater.”

Luckily for NBHS, Lauren applied for the job and then officially joined the faculty as an NBHS science teacher in 2010. Since then, her inspirational form of teaching has made its mark on students and the school district. In deciding to select Lauren as 2017 Teacher of the Year, the NBPS District Teacher of the Year Committee described being impressed by her dedication not only to her educational content area, but to her students, her fellow teachers, and the community at large.

In 2012, a student put Lauren in the running in a nationwide inspirational educator contest tied into a popular movie, Here Comes the Boom, which awarded the winner $10,000 to use for district extra-curricular programs. With huge support from the community, Lauren received the top number of votes and won the prize for the school district. For Lauren, the real prize is being able to have the chance to inspire her students and infuse them with a love of learning.

“I think it really comes down to a positive outlook and positive attitude, and really trying to connect with your students in any way you can,” says Lauren, who opens the school year with individual student interviews to help her learn a bit more about each student in her charge.

Once classes get underway, Lauren’s joy of teaching and getting kids excited about the world of science is pretty evident.

“I do think that my passion for the subject is contagious,” says Lauren, noting students “can’t help but feel that in me.”

Lauren’s own love of the subject was sparked during her years as NBHS student (Class of 1993). Even as she went on to study at UConn and become a successful scientist, the idea of teaching was never far beneath the surface.

“My path into teaching began at UConn as I was completing my undergraduate work in cytogenetics, and I was asked to be a teaching assistant in the genetics lab,” says Lauren. “I truly enjoyed being able to share my love for science and learning with others as I assisted in the instruction of laboratory procedures.”

After she graduated, Lauren spent 10 years as a cell culture technologist and also was responsible for training new employees in technologies and techniques.

“People began asking me, ‘Were you a teacher before this?’” says Lauren, who began “seriously contemplating” the idea.

“Although I was enjoying my career as a scientist, I enjoyed teaching others about it even more, and I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue,” she says.

At NBHS, Lauren is particularly pleased to be a part of a professional community focused on a commitment to students and continuing to raise the educational bar.

“All of my amazing colleagues at the high school have been a source of inspiration for me,” she says. “I am very lucky to be surrounded by people who motivate me every day through their creativity, thoughtfulness, and tremendous work ethic.”

Lauren is the grade 9 to 12 Science Department leader at NBHS, and also a member of the NBHS Data Team and North Branford District Tech Team. Lauren and her husband, Adam Danner, are raising their sons Jacob and Nathan in North Branford. As a parent of an elementary and middle school student in NBPS, Lauren’s excited about the learning experiences her own children encounter here.

“I think one of the biggest strengths in our district is our class sizes and, with 21st century learning, implementing technology in our classrooms,” she says.

By “going Google” this year with student-staff connective Google application platforms, “we keep moving technology forward,” says Lauren. “A lot of [tech] our kids are using nowadays in their lives is also being implemented in the classroom, so it’s almost seamless.”

Lauren sees exceptional opportunities to inspire students who are already tech savvy by connecting their interest in today’s tech with opportunities to stretch and learn in the realm of science and beyond.

“It’s another way of gaining their interest in a subject,” she says. “For me, it’s always about inspiring kids to do their best, and supporting them in any way I can.”

As the NBPS 2017 Teacher of the Year, Lauren is now in the running for the 2017 Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Part of the application for the statewide honor asked Lauren to imagine what message she would want to share with Connecticut’s teachers to help them achieve success in the classroom. The answer?

“Passion and positivity,” she says. “When we convey both passion and a positive attitude, the possibilities for our students are endless. It is so important for teachers to convey passion for what we are teaching so that students can see the relevance of their learning.”

She suggests connecting with students by keeping them “at the heart of every lesson.

“It’s from the connections and positive relationships we build with our students that intrinsic motivation is maximized, confidence is built, and greatness arises. When we, as educators, exude positivity and respect for our students, they will reciprocate. They will be willing to work hard and go the extra mile, because they know they have someone in their corner who is willing to do anything to see them succeed.”