PreKindergarten Teacher Wins 2022 Distinguished Teacher Award

PreKindergarten teacher Heather Robinson has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Teacher Award by the Mensa Foundation.

 

“It is an honor to be chosen for the Distinguished Teacher Award from the Mensa Foundation,” said Heather. “Working with young children has been a passion of mine for over 30 years. Each year, I teach the children our core classroom values which are 1) to be safe and 2) to be loving and kind to each other, ourselves, and our teachers/moms/dads! If they carry these values forward as they mature, then I have done my best by shaping the young minds of the future with kindness.”

 

This honorary award recognizes teachers, professors, or educational instructors who have had a positive influence on the education or life of a Mensa member. For consideration, Mensa members submit an essay nominating their person of choice and the essays are examined and judged by a committee of three to seven Mensa members. Heather was nominated by current Hamden Hall family Dr. Dustin Scheinost and Dr. Marisa Spann.

 

“To get recognition for all I give as a teacher is a feeling of accomplishment, and to hear this from a parent is the best feeling of all,” said Heather. “I thank The Scheinost Family for believing and trusting in me as a teacher for their son. This is the ultimate compliment, and I am thrilled I won this award.”

 

Heather’s approach to teaching includes guiding each child in their social, emotional, and academic growth with empathy as that builds bridge of trust in the classroom. This attitude helps her gain the trust of her students and helps build a partnership between teachers and parents with a focus on the child’s best interest.

 

With regards to Heather, the Foundation noted that she has a “unique, effective way of influencing young minds” while Marisa commented that Heather helped her son Hunter acclimate to a new school and feel safe in his environment.

 

Heather graduated with a bachelor’s degree from South Connecticut State University and earned her master’s from the University of New Haven.