Catskill Central School District has nominated Catskill Middle School art teacher Carli Gazoorian for the 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year award!

One of Ms. Gazoorian’s most remarkable traits as a teacher is her ability to see the potential in every child and foster their individual learning and growth. She goes above and beyond to model her excitement for artistry and to help her students succeed. Her classroom is not just a space for learning fine art, it’s a sanctuary of creativity and self-expression. She believes that her students’ ability to express themselves is a gateway to their understanding of the world, and she uses that to teach them empathy, resilience, and confidence.

The District’s administrative team selected Ms. Gazoorian as Catskill CSD’s nominee for this honor. NYS recognizes one exceptionally skilled and passionate educator as its Teacher of the Year. The award’s purpose is to support the development of programs throughout the state that recognize great teachers in their schools, engage exemplary teachers in professional development by completing the NYS Teacher of the Year application, and identify and celebrate one teacher per year who will represent all of New York State teachers at events throughout the state and at national events with Teachers of the Year from across the United States. A winner will be announced in late summer/early fall.

“She has devoted her life to nurturing not just the minds of her students, but their hearts and spirits as well,” explained CMS interim principal Annie Coager. “Her passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to Catskill Middle School make her not only deserving of the nomination of New York State’s Teacher of the year, but truly worthy of this honor.”

Pictured here are Ms. Gazoorian with CCSD Superintendent Dan Wilson and Ms. Coager at the nomination announcement.