Berlin High School biology teacher Christopher Wisniewski is Connecticut’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.
Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced the news during a surprise event at the school, where students, colleagues, and community members gathered to honor Wisniewski on Friday.
“Christopher Wisniewski is a wonderful example of the difference a great teacher can make, inspiring students to pursue their interests, challenge themselves, and achieve remarkable things both inside and outside the classroom,” Lamont said.
Russell-Tucker said that Wisniewski made an extraordinary impact by recognizing students’ strengths and creating opportunities for them to reach their full potential.
“He creates opportunities that empower every learner’s journey by encouraging students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges, ask questions, explore new ideas, and see themselves as scientists and innovators,” Russell-Tucker said. “His work demonstrates the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and providing meaningful opportunities for students to grow and succeed. We congratulate Christopher on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for the difference he is making in the lives of his students.”
Part of Wisniewski’s achievements include expanding early college opportunities at the school by building zoology as the district’s first SCSU early college course, and co-developing the state’s Department of Education-funded SCSU early College Business of Science.
According to Lamont’s office, 95% of participating students earned college credit.
Wisniewski also led Berlin High School’s Carpe Noctem Initiative, a team combining field research and engineering to develop a bioenvironmental system to address white-nose syndrome in bats.
The team produced a U.S. provisional patent with all 10 students named as inventors. The school’s team was one of only eight schools selected nationwide for Lemelson-MIT’s InvenTeams program.
Berlin is also Connecticut’s only district in the Lemelson-MIT’s National Invention Education Pathways initiative. Lamont’s office said Wisniewski is developing Berlin’s Innovation and Applied Science Pathway to connect inventions, science, technology, and business to help students move their ideas into practice.
“Through his classrooms, course, research, and invention experiences, Wisniewski helps students find belonging, gain confidence, and discover that consequential work can begin in high school,” Lamont’s office said.
“Chris reminds us of what is possible when an extraordinary teacher is fully invested in their students and believes in the maximum potential of every one of them. We are so grateful for everything Chris has brought to our students and entire school community.” Berlin Superintendent Brian Benigni said.
Berlin High School Principal Katie Amenta said Wisniewski represents the “very best” of what it means to be an educator.
“His students do not merely learn biology; they conduct authentic research, collaborate with professionals in the field, and innovate meaningful solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Most importantly, Chris pulls maximum potential out of all students. Chris’ impact at Berlin High School and the future of how we engage students with learning is truly what’s right with education,” Amenta said.
Wisniewski will represent Connecticut as a finalist for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year, succeeding Brian Betesh, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, who held the 2026 state title.
