Enfield Public Schools1010 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082 | Phone 860-253-6500 | Fax 860-253-6510

PRESS RELEASE:  June 13, 2025
Superintendent’s Office

2025-26 Teacher of the Year

Amy Santanella – Teacher of the Year

Enfield Public Schools is pleased to announce that Amy Santanella has been selected as the 2025–26 Enfield Teacher of the Year.  Amy Santanella is a native of Enfield, CT, and is in her 19^th  year of teaching—beginning in Stafford for two years, spending ten years in Bloomfield, and coming back home to give back to her Enfield community for the past eight years.  She teaches in the Adaptive Learning Program at John F. Kennedy Middle School, which offers a highly individualized educational setting designed to meet the unique learning needs of students through specialized instruction.  Mrs. Santanella received a Social Work degree from Southern Connecticut State University, her master’s and teaching certificate in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Sixth-Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision. 

Mrs. Santanella actively contributes to the RULER Committee and the 7^th Grade Field Trip Committee, is a passionate advocate for JFK’s Unified Sports program, ran a jogging club, and created the “Word of the Week” announcement to support and promote social-emotional learning throughout the school.  Mrs. Santanella proudly implemented the Best Buddies program at JFK Middle School, creating a space where students of all abilities can build genuine friendships and feel included.  Through her leadership, the program has grown into a vibrant, school-wide initiative that promotes kindness, acceptance, and inclusion of all. Her dedication has helped shape a more inclusive school culture, where every student is valued, celebrated and guided by compassion. 

One of her passions outside of school is running, regularly participating in community fundraising races such as Cinco K Mayo, Enfield’s July 4^th race, and Outrun Addiction.  She proudly represented Team Best Buddies in the New York City Marathon in 2021, completing the race in under four hours while raising awareness and support for individuals with special abilities.  She also enjoys reading, camping with her family, and spending time at the beach. 

Mrs. Santanella resides in Enfield with her husband Peter.  She  is a very proud of her daughter, Kelsey, who is a junior at Southern Connecticut State University; her son, Mason, in 6^th grade at JFK Middle School; and her daughter, Molly, in 1^st grade at Hazardville Memorial.  She would like to thank her friend and colleague, Mr. Michael Misseri, for nominating her for this award. 

On behalf of the Enfield Teacher of the Year Committee and the entire Enfield Public Schools family, we would like to congratulate Amy on this distinction and wish her the best in her future pursuit at the state level.