Colleen Keough, a 2nd grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, was named the Schenectady City School District 2024 Teacher of the Year on Friday, December 15. Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr. visited Keough’s class to make the surprise announcement with her family members, students, and colleagues on hand.
“This is an exciting morning,” said Soler. “I am pleased and proud to present the Teacher of the Year honor to Ms. Keough. She is an extraordinary educator who cares deeply about every one of her students. She helps students see their own potential and makes learning fun. Students know that Ms. Keough is always in their corner. She is an advocate and cheerleader for her students. She is a role model and a mentor to her colleagues. She makes Schenectady better. We are fortunate and extremely grateful for Ms. Keough and all she does for the Hamilton School community.”
Keough has been an elementary teacher in Schenectady since 2008. She began as a first-grade teacher at Paige Elementary School, where she taught for three years. Keough has been a teacher at Hamilton for the last 12 years. She taught 4th grade from 2011-2013 and has been teaching 2nd grade since 2013.
Keough is a member of many committees including the safety team, anti-racism building leadership team, SCEP, yearbook, grants, and PARP committee. She is a mentor, leader, chairperson of the school store and co-chair of the Parent Teacher Organization. Keough also helped co-lead the Hamilton Holiday Parade float which, last year, was selected for the “People’s Choice Award.”
Many colleagues, parents, and students wrote nominating letters in support of Keough.
“Ms. Keough is resilient, a problem-solver, an innovator, and a dynamic member of our 2nd grade team and school community,” said Christian Rossler, Math Instructional Coach at Hamilton. He said Keough serves to inspire and impact those she comes in contact with each day.
Joe DiCaprio, Assistant Superintendent of District Initiatives, Planning and Accountability for Schenectady Schools, wrote a letter on Ms. Keough’s behalf. Keough was his daughter’s first grade teacher 13 years ago and remains her favorite teacher even after all these years.
DiCaprio said throughout the years, the constant has been Keough’s unwavering commitment to making every child feel loved and like family. He shared some of his own experiences and applauded her classroom environment, communication, differentiated instruction, and connection with families. “It is this feeling that resonates with her children long beyond the months they spend in her class,” added DiCaprio. “She is an impassioned educator who serves her students within and outside of the classroom walls, and makes lifelong connections with her students.”
“While I have only known Colleen since March, she has made an impact on my life and I can see how she influences the trajectory of Hamilton and helps to move the school forward,” said Dr. Leah Kedley, Principal of Hamilton. “Ms. Keough has been and continues to be a role model for her peers, a mentor, cheerleader for students and adults, advocate for parents and their children, PTO co-president, welcoming committee, school store chairperson, and a natural leader within the building.”
Kedley noted that in the spring Keough received the Passionate Educator Award because she is continually spreading her love for the kids and ensuring they have a fulfilling learning experience in her classroom.
Brooke Hale, a parent of one of Kedley’s students, said that Keough went above and beyond when her family had a house fire in which they lost everything inside. Keough collected items and gave the family clothes, toys, and gift cards, to help them through recovery. “Ms. Keough really went above and beyond to make sure my girls were good,” said Haley. “I will always have a special place in my heart for her.”
“Ms. Colleen Keough is a passionate educator who epitomizes the district’s motto of “Stronger Together,” said Jennifer Paley, a colleague of Keough’s for the last six years. “Not only is Ms. Keough a skilled and dedicated teacher, but she goes above and beyond for our students and families. She is a strong advocate for what our students and their families need, whether it is within the classroom or outside of it.”
Paley also said that Keough recognizes the importance of supporting other teachers. “She is always the first one to welcome and support new teachers,” said Paley. “She is a valued mentor who inspires those she works with.”
Barbara Graves, a foster grandparent who volunteers in Keough’s class, said “I can’t imagine being a foster grandparent anywhere else.” Graves added, “There are so many ways she is such a great teacher. She is caring, generous, and empathetic. The class loves and respects her.” Graves also noted that every day a previous student of Keough’s stops by her class “for a hug or to say ‘hi.’”
Several of Keough’s students nominated her for Teacher of the Year honors. Students said she is their favorite teacher, she does nice things, she grows their brains and makes them smart, she rewards them, she is cool, and so much more.
“Hamilton is a special place in large part because of people like Colleen Keough,” added Kedley. “She is a guiding light for her fellow teachers and an example of what giving your all means to a school environment.”
As the Schenectady Teacher of the Year, Keough is eligible to enter the New York State Teacher of the Year contest.