Meet Southington's Top Teacher For 2026-27

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Public School District has named Julia Columbus, a kindergarten teacher at Derynoski Elementary School, as its 2026-27 Teacher of the Year.

Columbus will be recognized during the district's 2026-27 Staff Convocation and at a reception before a Southington Board of Education meeting in September at the Southington Municipal Center.

Chris Palmieri, the district's Teacher of the Year program coordinator, said Columbus stood out among a strong group of candidates.

"As always, it is difficult to select only one teacher of the year due to the outstanding teachers we have in Southington, however Mrs. Columbus stood out especially because of the professional impact she makes with her colleagues and her dedication to her students," Palmieri said.

Columbus has taught in Southington for 17 years. She has spent the past 13 years teaching kindergarten at Derynoski Elementary School after teaching second grade there for four years. Before joining the Southington district, she taught for four years in other school systems.

Derynoski Principal Sarah Williams praised Columbus' work with students and colleagues.

"Julia Columbus represents the very best of our profession. She is masterful, compassionate, brilliant, humble, and deeply devoted to children," Williams said.

Columbus earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and elementary education from Sacred Heart University in 2003, followed by a master's degree in elementary education in 2004. In 2025, she completed a sixth-year degree in Advanced Studies of Literacy at Sacred Heart University, earning designation as a remedial reading and language arts specialist along with an Advanced Dyslexia Graduate Certificate.

Beyond the classroom, Columbus serves on several district and school leadership teams, including the MTSS School Literacy Leadership Team, the District Literacy Leadership Team, the Scientific Research-Based Interventions (SRBI) team, and the School Improvement Team at Derynoski. She is also a TEAM-trained mentor teacher.

According to the district, Columbus advocates for evidence-based literacy instruction that helps students develop strong reading skills while fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Columbus described herself as a lifelong learner who continually seeks opportunities to strengthen her teaching through collaboration, professional development, and self-reflection.

She also emphasized the importance of mentoring fellow educators, saying she believes teaching is a continuous process of learning and improvement.

Columbus lives in Southington with her husband and children.

For more information on the announcement and past Southington teachers of the year, click on this link.