Ted Richmond's plan to become a physical therapist lasted until he finished his freshman chemistry course at the University of Connecticut. When he received a D in that class, he started studying English and education instead.

That "ended up being a good move," said Richmond, who was recently recognized as Montville's teacher of the year. "I've never regretted it."

Richmond, who is originally from Waterford, has been teaching English at Montville High School for 16 years and is now the department chair. He was chosen as teacher of the year because he is a "highly effective educator" with strong leadership skills, said Superintendent Pamela Aubin.

On a Wednesday afternoon in mid-June, after regular classes had ended for the year, a student lingered in Richmond's classroom to discuss "Romeo and Juliet." A poster for that play is pinned on one of the bulletin boards behind Richmond's desk, along with posters featuring John Steinbeck and William Shakespeare, a UConn Basketball banner, comics clipped from newspapers and several pieces of Red Sox memorabilia.

Before the student left, he told Richmond that he hadn't liked the play at first, but now understood what it was all about.

Those kinds of moments are Richmond's favorites. He said he loves witnessing students' satisfaction when they accomplish something they at first thought was too difficult, such as understanding a challenging piece of literature.

"My goal is for them to be better readers, writers and thinkers," said Richmond, who believes those skills are important not just in college or the workplace, but to succeed in life in general.

As the father of three children, he tries not to forget the trust and responsibility that parents place on teachers.

"It's an important thing that we do," said Richmond, who teaches mostly freshmen. He found 13 to be "a horrible age" and thinks he can demonstrate "a little bit of empathy" for his students' struggles as young teenagers.

Outside of the classroom, Richmond is involved with the school's Academic Decathlon, in which students answer questions in 10 different categories about a theme such as Russia or World War I. Richmond coaches the Decathlon along with science teacher Ben Hayes.

"It gives me a chance to work with students in a different way," he said. "I was an assistant baseball coach at MHS for 11 years and loved working with players to develop their skills. I've always seen Decathlon as the same kind of experience with a different type of student."

In addition to teaching high school, Richmond is a mentor with the Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Cancer Foundation at Backus Hospital, providing advice and support to cancer patients during and after their treatments.

"Many cancer patients, especially men, are often uncomfortable with some of the questions they have," said Richmond, who is an 11-year cancer survivor and was going through chemotherapy at only 27. "They have questions about their reactions to medications, their family's reaction to their diagnosis, their weight and hair loss … it helps sometimes to have someone who is not a doctor or a member of their family to talk to."

Richmond said the attention he's received after getting the award has been a little uncomfortable for him, though he is "flattered" to be recognized. He doesn't know why he was chosen for the honor, but said his focus has been making sure Montville High School is the best it can be.

"My friends live here, their kids go here," he said. "I'm highly invested in the quality of the school."

K.CATALFAMO@THEDAY.COM