New London — Elizabeth Sked, a longtime educator working as an instructional coach at C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School, is this year's winner of the John McCormack Award, a Connecticut Education Association award for teaching excellence.

Sked, a dual language and mainstream classroom teacher for 17 years, has worked for the New London Public Schools for 20 years. She was the only winner from Connecticut and will continue to represent New London Public Schools at the National Education Association Foundation's Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C., later this year. She is a nominee for the national award in teaching excellence.

“I am humbled by this honor and more importantly so proud to be part of the NLPS family. Now I will work hard and try my best to bring home the National Award for Teaching Excellence to NLPS,” Sked said in a statement.

She has served on the district Professional Development and Evaluation Committee as both a member and co-facilitator. As a union leader, she works collaboratively with all parties to support teaching and learning and is committed to engaging families in the education of their child.

Every morning, Sked greets parents and students, engaging them in conversation. She explains, “It is the informal moments like these that have enabled me to get to know more families and reach out directly to personally invite them to our events.” She also supports new teachers through TEAM mentoring, TEAM paper reviewing and working directly with future teachers in field experiences.