Teacher of the Year

Kimberly Padroff

Fourth-Grade Teacher
Hatton Elementary School
2025-2026

The Southington Public School District is proud to announce that Kimberly Padroff, a fourth-grade teacher at Hatton Elementary School has been chosen as the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year. Chris Palmieri, Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator, stated “although many amazing teachers were nominated this year and it became a very difficult decision, Mrs. Padroff stood out especially because of her mentorship to her colleagues.” Kimberly will be recognized at the 2025-2026 Staff Convocation as well as at a reception prior to a Board of Education meeting in September at the Municipal Center.

Mrs. Padroff has been teaching in Southington for the past sixteen years. She was originally hired as a Grade 5 teacher at Flanders Elementary School in August, 2009. She then transferred to Grade 4 at Hatton Elementary School effective August 2022 and has remained in that position since. Bob Garry, Hatton Principal stated “Kim is a remarkable educator! She finds a way to reach and teach every student in her classroom and makes our entire school a better place!”

Mrs. Padroff received her Bachelor of Science degree Psychology in 1993 from Southern Connecticut State University. She then earned her master’s degree in education in 2008 from the University of Bridgeport. Most recently, she completed her 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport in 2019.

Kimberly readily volunteers for committees and activities. She served on the Southington Townwide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) committee, the PBIS committee, and a student leadership committee. She applied for and was awarded a grant from the Southington Education Foundation for post-crossing, an initiative that allows her students to write and receive postcards from around the world. In addition, she serves as a TEAM mentor for beginning teachers.

Mrs. Padroff describes her educational philosophy as “building strong relationships, creating inclusive classroom communities, and embedding social emotional learning into everything I do.” As a mentor teacher herself she has the unique opportunity to support new teachers and her own students by providing them the resources they need to be successful.

Mrs. Padroff resides in Southington with her husband and two children.