Windsor Public Schools Announces 2025-26 Teacher Of The Year

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor Public Schools has recognized Ellie Lloyd as the district’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. An exceptional K-5 art educator at both John F. Kennedy and Poquonock Elementary Schools, she has been a cornerstone of creativity and student empowerment since joining the district in 2017, according to a news release.

With eight years of dedicated service, Lloyd has transformed the way students experience visual arts by fostering creativity, critical thinking and personal expression. Her classroom reflects Windsor’s North Star mission - to develop the genius in every child - through hands-on, inquiry-based art projects that promote problem-solving, individuality and visual literacy.

Lloyd holds a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Saint Joseph, and a Bachelor of Science in art education from Central Connecticut State University. Her dynamic teaching style and commitment to student engagement have earned her repeated nominations as Teacher of the Year at both schools, according to the release.

Beyond the classroom, she strengthens school-community connections through initiatives like JFK’s annual school-wide art show and her leadership in the statewide Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Her students have earned top honors in the competition four years in a row. She also showcases student artwork in community spaces such as the Windsor Public Library and L.P. Wilson Center, and recently had her own artwork featured at the Windsor Art Center.

In addition to teaching, Lloyd has led professional development for Windsor’s K-12 art educators, designing workshops in sculpture, printmaking and critical thinking through art, according to the release.

"Art isn’t just about talent - it’s about voice, confidence and growth,," she said. "My goal is to make art accessible to every student, giving them space to explore who they are and how they see the world."