Emmett O’Brien Tech Teacher Announced as CTECS Teacher of the Year

Derek Nadeau, an electrical teacher at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, CT, has been named the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Teacher of the Year, Executive Director Dr. Ellen Solek announced today.

“The Teacher of the Year program exemplifies the excellence that we look forward to from our CTECS students and staff every day,” said Dr. Solek. “When we asked freshmen students in Mr. Nadeau’s class what made him their CTECS Teacher of the Year, they responded with the same basic message stating, ‘Mr. Nadeau expects nothing but the best from us every day because he gives us his very best in return. He really cares about us as his students and as people. We can’t wait for his class to start and we don’t want to leave.’”

Nadeau is a graduate of Bristol Technical Education Center’s electronics program. From there he was accepted into IBEW Local 35’s apprenticeship program and worked on significant projects including Foxwoods, UConn, the Connecticut Convention Center, and the Bridgeport Harbor Power Station, among many others. After 12 years of large-scale construction jobs, Nadeau transitioned into the alarm industry, working for ADT Security Systems before accepting a teaching position at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School.

“I have a passion for teaching and the desire to see the best outcome for my students because I know how it feels to be underprepared as an apprentice, and I will not put my students in that situation,” said Nadeau. “I continually improve myself to be better equipped as an educator and prepare our students for today’s workforce.”

Nadeau takes an active role in connecting students with local employers. In addition, he is involved in the Principal’s round table committee, supports teacher professional development days, and makes efforts to expose grade 7 and 8 students to a technical high school education.

“This honor is well deserved,” said Emmett O’Brien Technical High School Principal Laurie Lebouthillier. “When Mr. Nadeau entered Emmett O’Brien in 2020 his enthusiasm for his content knowledge was exuberating and catchy to all. He reorganized his classroom space to be conducive to learning and engage his students. He is very supportive and is a role model to them as well.”

Nadeau also strives to support the school’s academic teachers. His message to all CTECS teachers is to find opportunities for collaboration between academics and the trades.

“An [academic teacher’s] role is critical in educating our students in developing their reading, comprehension, and math skills. The skills that are essential in our shop,” he said. “Our codebooks are written at a reading level of a college entry student. Misinterpreting the code during electrical installations can become very costly. Knowing math helps develop your analytical skills for troubleshooting and calculating complex formulas to show electrical issues.”

“As a Department Head of a licensed construction trade, I can tell you I’m more than impressed with Derek’s body of work, and being selected CTECS’ Teacher of the Year was inevitable,” said State Vocational Federation of Teachers President Paul Angelucci. “His approach to relationship building and support of his students is inspiring. The way he checks up with their academic teachers on the off cycles shows his investment in his students goes well beyond the walls of the Electrical shop at Emmett O’Brien Tech. Congratulations Derek for this well-deserved acknowledgment!” 

Nadeau will compete in the 2024 State of Connecticut Teacher of the Year competition this summer.

Learn more about the Teacher of the Year program.