Griswold High School teacher Hannah McNeil has been selected as the recipient of the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies Excellence in Teaching Award for grades 9-12.

McNeil’s nomination was selected due to her:

* creative development and use of instructional materials

* innovative and effective instructional strategies and use of technology

* professional involvement in activities such as leading the school’s Student Leadership Council, being a part of the Social-Emotional Learning Committee, attending conferences and being an active member of the College Board’s national AP Human Geography network

* development of democratic beliefs and values in her classroom

* citizen participation in classroom, school and community settings.McNeil also took the initiative to introduce the Advanced Placement Geography course to GHS, and organize field trips to Washington D.C. and a Human Rights Conference at the University of Connecticut.

McNeil was nominated by the Griswold High School Social Studies’ Academic Team Leader, Douglas Craig.

“Hannah’s students have excelled due to her ability to get students excited about learning, growing, and maximizing their potential. She selflessly gives her time to her students, running extra study sessions and student groups,” he noted. “She models being a lifelong learner, constantly looking for material to add to her courses, and displaying her love for learning to her students. It is wonderful to have a colleague from whom you can learn so much.”

Griswold High School Principal Erin Palonen recognized how well-deserved this award is.

As the 2022 winner, McNeil will receive a one-year membership for CCSS and the National Council for the Social Studies, a plaque, a listing on CCSS’s website, and will be recognized at a future Griswold Public Schools Board of Education meeting.

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