2025 Stamford Teacher of the Year Announced
Additional Educators Throughout City Also Recognized for Support of Students
STAMFORD — George Rigakos, a special education teacher at Westover Magnet School was announced on Monday, May 5, as the Stamford Public Schools (SPS) Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. The district also recognized a group of passionate educators throughout the city’s public schools for their dedication to uplifting students.
“Stamford is a community. My philosophy is to cultivate that community through teaching,” Rigakos said in his award application.
District and school leadership applauded Rigakos and his approach as an educator in an announcement on the SPS website.
“The selection of Mr. Rigakos as Teacher of the Year speaks volumes about the respect and admiration he has earned from his peers within the Stamford Public Schools community,” Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero said. “His commitment to fostering growth, celebrating unique abilities, and creating inclusive learning environments has touched the lives of countless students. This award underscores the profound difference one individual's commitment can make in the lives of our students.”
“Mr. Rigakos is an outstanding educator whose impact resonates throughout our entire school community,” Westover Principal Lisa Saba-Price said. “He builds genuine connections with students, staff, and families alike, and because of that, his influence is felt everywhere. I couldn’t be prouder to have George as a part of our Westover Community."
In addition to Rigakos, SPS also shared the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year (TOY) Cohort and Spotlight on Teaching Honorees. They were selected by a committee of current SPS teachers based on certain criteria including outstanding teaching, exceptional student support, exemplary community involvement, and positive influence on school culture.
Members of the TOY Cohort are Kimberly Balch, 3rd grade teacher at Stillmeadow Elementary School; Gina Figliuzz, social studies lead teacher for the STEPS Program; Leah Schwartz, 8th grade English language arts (ELA) teacher at Cloonan Middle School; and Danielle Weber, Project Lead the Way BioMed Teacher at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering.
The Spotlight on Teaching Honorees include:
The SPS announcement noted that, as the district’s teacher of the year, Rigakos will also serve as their nominee for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. The statewide program is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Education and Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council.
In December 2025, the new Connecticut Teacher of the Year, three finalists, and all district-level TOY winners will be celebrated at an event in Hartford.
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