Greenwich educator Joy Colon was presented with the Connecticut Education Association’s highest teaching award, the John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence. The Greenwich High School special education teacher received the award before 350 of her colleagues at the 178th annual CEA Representative Assembly, held at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center this past weekend.
“Joy is a thoughtful, highly skilled professional who has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting students with diverse learning needs,” said CEA President Kate Dias.
“She has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and co-chairs the CEA Racial and Ethnic Diversity Affairs Commission, facilitating dialogue, supporting professional learning, and advocating for policies that address inequities in access and opportunity.” Colon is recognized for her professionalism, high expectations, and dedication to her students, colleagues, and students’ parents.
She is praised for her ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of her students and create environments where students see themselves reflected in their learning. She strives for every student to feel capable, valued, and supported in their growth.
“Access to high-quality, equitable education shapes not only individual outcomes but the health of society as a whole,” said Colon. “Students carry their educational experiences into every aspect of their lives and communities. This reality reinforces the urgency of strong public schools. It also reinforces the responsibility educators carry every day. That responsibility continues to guide my practice, leadership, and advocacy.”
Colon’s dedication to her students extends well beyond the classroom. Since 2019, she has served as a Trumbull Town Council member, bringing her voice and an educator’s perspective to community initiatives and policies that support students, families, and public schools. She strongly believes that educators belong at every table where decisions about education are made.
“For me, advocacy functions as a natural extension of the teaching practice itself,” said Colon. “The decisions made outside the classroom regarding funding, policy, and educational priorities directly shape what happens within it. For that reason, I have worked to ensure that educators have a meaningful voice in those decisions. Advocacy is not optional in this profession. It is a responsibility rooted in service to students and communities.”
She is widely respected by her colleagues for her collaborative and supportive attitude and her reflective practices that consistently prioritize what is best for her students.
“Joy brings a deliberate, introspective style to her instruction, paired with a composed and consistent demeanor that benefits both learners and colleagues,” said Greenwich teacher Danielle Weber. Colon’s impact is reflected in the voices of families who praise her work and attribute her teaching to the positive changes in their children.
The parents of one boy highlighted how their child, who was unsure of his capabilities, blossomed in Colon’s class, saying, “You have truly fostered a new level of confidence in our son.”
The John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence, which is highly competitive, evaluates teachers on five criteria: professional practice, community engagement, leadership in professional development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for the profession.
“Joy represents the very best of our profession, making a lasting, life-changing difference in the lives of her students every single day,” said Dias.
Colon received a $2,000 cash honorarium from CEA and will attend the Salute to Education Gala in Washington, D.C., next spring. She is also CEA’s nominee for the NEA Foundation’s NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence.
