The Connecticut Science Teacher Association is proud to announce that Ms Lauren Ann Danner, a teacher at North Branford High School (NBHS), has been selected to receive its Secondary School Science Teacher of the Year award.

Currently Science Department Chair, Ms. Danner teaches ninth grade general science and tenth grade biology. She is the current Connecticut State Teacher of the Year.

Danner is extremely active in teacher development. She is a certified mentor for beginning teachers, an active presenter of teacher workshops, and an enthusiastic developer of curricula who has specialized in the use of the latest technologies in the classroom.

She is a former student at NBHS and credits this experience with developing a deeper understanding of the student. Some of her past teachers during her four years at North Branford are now her colleagues! One of her students nominated her for a nationwide contest, "Most Inspirational Teacher," The student noted that Ms. Danner was the first teacher who had refused to give up on him when others had.

Danner holds a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in Education from the University of New Haven.

Mrs. Tracy Wooton, North Branford's Director of Curriculum and Instruction, describes Danner as "committed, hardworking, purposeful, and spunky."

"Her lessons are "impeccably designed" to make learning relevant and to draw the student into the learning process, said Wooton.

NBHS principal, Mr. Todd Stoeffler, credits her not only with contribution to the "advancement of the science department" but also with the professional knowledge which allows her to assist individual colleagues "navigating the changes in the field of education during the most recent past."

The award will be presented at the CSTA Annual Awards Banquet, New Haven Lawn Club, on Wednesday, May 3.