GROTON, Conn. – At the start of April, Mrs. Laurel Donovan was named Fitch’s Teacher of the Year after being nominated and voted on by her peers.
On March 19, nominations began for the Fitch faculty to discuss their picks for teacher of the year, and voting started from March 26 to March 30. It was announced on April 6th during the morning announcements that Mrs. Donovan had won Teacher of the Year.
Donovan has been teaching at Fitch for eight years, starting after student teaching in Naugatuck. Currently, she teaches English 10, AP/UConn ECE Intro to Academic Writing for 11th graders, UConn ECE Educators Rising, and Honors Educators Rising 2.
“I feel so incredibly honored to be named Teacher of the Year,” said Donovan. “I don’t do this work for recognition; I genuinely love what I do.”
For Donovan, part of being a teacher at Fitch is maintaining a culture that engages students from all backgrounds.
“Every day, I make a conscious effort to create a classroom environment where students can learn, but also have fun and feel valued.”
Donovan’s involvement in the Educators Rising program is notable, as she believes it is her opportunity to pay her love of teaching forward to students interested in the profession.
“When I started teaching at Fitch, I had a goal to bring education classes to my students, and I am so happy that I have been able to do that,” she said. “I love teaching English, but there is something special about teaching my students about the profession I love so much.”
In addition to her regular course load, Donovan is also the head coach for girls’ outdoor track and the adviser for the Travel Club. This year marks a return to track, which she has been involved with for the last four years.
“I took last year off [from coaching] to have my daughter, Lila, but I was excited to have the opportunity to come back,” said Donovan. “I love coaching and seeing my students in settings other than academic.”
Beyond track, Donovan’s Travel Club has gained significant interest since its inception in 2023, when Donovan and students visited London, Paris, and Rome. Subsequent trips saw the club travel to Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, followed by Paris, Belgium, and Amsterdam in 2025.
“I love showing my students the world, so this club holds a special place in my heart,” she noted. “We are preparing for our trip to Portugal and Spain this summer, and next year, we are going to Japan.”
Many students who have had her as a teacher, coach, or adviser feel happy to see her recognized.
“She deserves it,” said Caylee Lang, an 11th grader. “She’s a really relaxed teacher, and honestly, a very fun teacher to have.”
Last year’s honor was awarded to PE teacher Mr. Jason Wolfradt.
MAY 12, 2026 UPDATE: Since this article was published, Mrs. Donovan was named Teacher of the Year for the Groton Public Schools District.
