The Farmington Board of Education and Kathleen C. Greider, Interim Superintendent of Schools, are proud to announce the 2026 Teacher of the Year for the Farmington Public Schools (FPS). Erin Nock, exemplary Elementary Literacy Interventionist and long-time Farmington educator and teacher leader, has been named Farmington’s Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year.
Erin Nock has been a teacher in Farmington for over 22 years and has served as a leader in the areas of reading acquisition and specialized reading instruction. She also serves as a strong professional development facilitator, sharing her expertise with educators across the school district and beyond. Ms. Nock’s impact on literacy programming, instruction and interventions is profound in Farmington and across Connecticut with her strong connections to the University of Connecticut.
Erin Nock is a humble, yet truly outstanding educator who is committed to continuous learning and innovation. Her commitment to ensuring every child succeeds as a confident and independent reader and writer who acquires all elements of our Vision of the Global Citizen made her the ideal Farmington Teacher of the Year. Countless teachers and students have benefited from her ability to develop in others the skills to excel in the area of literacy. She is a warm demander in all aspects of her work with students and teachers to ensure high expectations, care and support for all who work with Ms. Nock. Erin Nock inspires others through her curiosity, relentlessness, commitment to continuous learning and through her genuine care of others. Farmington is a better school district because of Erin Nock and her vast contributions to ensuring excellence for all.
Superintendent Greider states, “Erin is truly exceptional in her work with both students and colleagues. At a time when reading has been a significant focus at the state and local levels and remains a critical driver of student success across all subject areas, Erin is a shining example of the impact a teacher has on the success of students, colleagues and a school district. Erin has led efforts in literacy within Farmington with impressive expertise, deep care and a relentless approach to the personal and academic success of every student. I am in awe of her knowledge and her ability to develop expertise in others. She loves the teaching profession and serves as a model of excellence in all elements of literacy acquisition, instilling a love of reading and writing within our students. She sees the assets and strengths in everyone. I am so pleased and proud to celebrate Erin, our 2026 Teacher of the Year, who is most deserving of this recognition. She is truly a humble and gifted educator who inspires others to continuously learn and grow.”
Board of Education Chair, Bill Beckert, commented, “On behalf of the Board of Education, we celebrate Erin Nock, our 2026 Teacher of the Year. In my role as a long-time Board member and the current Chair, I have been very fortunate to observe Erin’s career in Farmington from her role as a classroom teacher, to interventionist and teacher leader in the areas of literacy interventions and instruction with joy and pride. She is a contributor, someone who is always giving of herself to fulfill Farmington’s vision and mission for every child we serve. Her support of her colleagues and her ability to share current literacy research, instruction and interventions with others are truly exceptional. Her impact is limitless and we extend our deepest appreciation to Erin for her selflessness, expertise and deep care for all members of our school district.”
Principal Carrie Huber added: “One of Erin’s greatest strengths is her ability to see the unique potential in every child. She approaches each student with empathy, high expectations, and a belief in their capacity to grow. She tailors instruction to meet individual needs and always leads with a strengths-based perspective, which empowers students and inspires colleagues. The entire Noah Wallace community and all Farmington schools are proud to celebrate Erin and the amazing contributions she has made to our school district community. She is a leader among her peers who supports colleagues through coaching and professional learning. Her thoughtful, collaborative nature makes her a trusted resource and a true team player. Erin embodies the values and spirit of the teaching profession.”
Upon being selected Teacher of the Year Erin Nock commented, “There are moments in your life where words can instantaneously knock the wind out of you, and this was truly one of them. I am surrounded by the most caring and extraordinarily talented teachers and professionals. I find myself continuously marveling at and learning from my fellow teachers every time I step into a classroom. The deftness of their teaching choices, the inspiring competence, and the joyous warmth of the beautiful inclusive communities they create. I walk in to share a teaching move, and walk out with a handful more to share with others. It is this especially that I am humbled and grateful for. I feel that I work among professionals that have a passion for not only being changemakers, but who are deeply honorable and committed to believing in every child’s success, tenaciously so. I have spent my career teaching at the early elementary level, and in the past 20 years, have focused my learning on reading acquisition. Not just teaching students how to read proficiently, but to become lost in the world of story, to love books and be freed up to access the best, most interesting stories they can. In an intervention setting, the goal is to be as responsive and targeted as you can, and to create learning pathways that allow students to do this efficiently and with independence. Our community includes not just classroom teachers, but an extensive staff and faculty who are impassioned experts in their fields. We gather in SRBI’s, PPT’s, collaborative lesson studies, data teams, and countless other informal places to pull together our collective knowledge to make sure we are teaching, learning and responding in the best, most cutting edge way for each and every individual child. We operate in ways that make us like a family caring for our own. I am so grateful for the teams and leadership that surround me. My colleagues who endlessly provide the support, learning and open-minded optimism that is so essential to helping us all continue to explore the ever changing dynamics of teaching and learning. To continue to question and learn, to challenge ourselves and to be dynamic in our approaches. Whether it’s trying a new strategy, learning a new program or technique, taking students outside, or challenging our own thinking. I am inspired. To be honored by those that I honor, it is without a doubt a blessing of a lifetime. I will not only cherish this privilege, but really try to live up to it, with gratitude and humility.”
Brief Bio:
Erin Nock is an experienced educator and Literacy Interventionist in the Farmington Public Schools where she supports elementary school students through individualized, strength-based literacy instruction. With over 25 years of experience, she began her teaching journey in New Britain, CT, working in high-needs schools that shaped her equity-driven, responsive approach. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master’s Reading Certification from Central Connecticut State University, along with advanced Reading Recovery training through UConn. Erin has designed and led a range of professional development experiences focused on accelerating literacy growth, especially for students with learning differences and for multilingual learners. She is a leader in the Reading Recovery Council of North America and an adjunct instructor at Lesley University through which she is able to share her expertise and love of literacy instruction with other educators. Her instructional philosophy centers on student agency, inquiry, and real-world learning that engages the whole child. Erin is committed to collaborative growth and continuous improvement in service of all learners. Erin is grateful for her amazing family, her two daughters, Maria and Clarissa, and her husband, Paul. Clarissa is currently in Touro medical school, Maria is pursuing an artistic career at SCAD University and Paul is a director at Pfizer. Year after year, they provide continual joy and support and have shared their talents in helping many literacy nights run smoothly. Most of all, they provide love, light, counsel and strength when most needed and are incredible, kind human beings.
