2027 Teacher of the Year
Phebe Large
Special Education Teacher
R.D. Seymour School
Each year in Connecticut, school districts throughout the state establish criteria and select a Teacher of the Year who demonstrates a high caliber of professional performance. It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we announce Phebe Large as East Granby Public Schools' 2027 Teacher of the Year.
Since joining our district in 2016 as a Special Education Teacher, Phebe has exemplified excellence, dedication, and compassion in every aspect of her work. She is widely recognized by her peers as a reliable and knowledgeable resource for classroom teachers and paraprofessionals, providing thoughtful guidance, practical strategies, and effective solutions whenever support is needed. Her willingness to collaborate and share her expertise has made a lasting impact on students, staff, and the broader school community.
Phebe consistently goes above and beyond in her commitment to both students and colleagues. She readily offers support to teachers, even when the students being discussed are not part of her assigned caseload. This deep sense of responsibility and teamwork strengthens our entire school community and reflects her unwavering dedication to student success.
A strong advocate for inclusive education, Phebe actively supports district and school-wide initiatives through bi-weekly consultation cycles with classroom teachers. Her work ensures that student accommodations are implemented with fidelity, resulting in greater consistency in individualized supports and increased student access to grade-level curriculum. Through her collaborative efforts, teachers are better equipped to design and implement differentiated instructional strategies that align with district priorities around equity and inclusion, leading to improved engagement and outcomes for diverse learners.
Phebe’s leadership extends beyond direct student support. Through her advocacy and coaching, she helps build teacher capacity in co-teaching practices, instructional scaffolding, and Universal Design for Learning. As a result, teachers report greater confidence in supporting a wide range of learners, fostering a more inclusive school culture and reducing the need for restrictive interventions.
In addition, Phebe plays a vital role in ensuring compliance and best practices in special education. Her proactive communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving approach help prevent gaps in service delivery and ensure that both legal requirements and district expectations are consistently met.
Her dedication extends well beyond the school day. Phebe regularly invests additional time to ensure her students receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Her kindness, positivity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to our school and district.
Beyond her work in the classroom, Phebe is an active and cherished member of our Sunshine Committee. She consistently demonstrates genuine care and attentiveness toward her colleagues, often recognizing when someone may need encouragement and taking thoughtful steps to brighten their day. Whether through personalized notes, small acts of kindness, or simply being available to listen and support others, Phebe helps cultivate a positive, connected, and supportive school culture.
Through her actions, Phebe not only improves outcomes for individual students but also contributes meaningfully to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to serving others truly embody the qualities of an outstanding educator.
Please join us in congratulating Phebe Large, our 2027 Teacher of the Year!