The Waterbury Times|Teacher Spotlight |Published May 23, 2026
WATERBURY, CT — After honoring educators across the city through its Teacher Spotlight Series, Waterbury Public Schools has announced its overall 2026 District Teacher of the Year: Raymond Santovasi of North End Middle School.
Santovasi, a longtime music teacher at North End, was selected from among this year’s school-level Teachers of the Year throughout the district.
Known to generations of students simply as “Ray,” Santovasi has spent decades helping students grow through music, creativity, discipline, and performance while building a lasting impact inside the Waterbury school community.
According to Waterbury Public Schools, Santovasi says it is the students and the opportunity to continue making a difference that has kept him returning to the classroom year after year.
His selection as District Teacher of the Year represents not only excellence in education, but also a career dedicated to mentorship, consistency, and student development.
The recognition concludes Waterbury Public Schools’ 2026 Teacher of the Year honors, which celebrated educators from schools across the city for their contributions inside and outside the classroom.
🐏 Editor’s Note
As publisher of The Waterbury Times, this recognition carries a little extra hometown pride.
I am a proud North End Ram — Class of 1995.
Congratulations to Mr. Santovasi and to the entire North End school community on this well-deserved honor.
Closing the Series
Over the past several weeks, The Waterbury Times proudly highlighted all 32 Waterbury Public Schools Teachers of the Year, recognizing the educators who continue to shape classrooms, inspire students, and strengthen school communities across the city.
From elementary schools to high schools, this series celebrated the people behind the lessons, encouragement, and everyday impact felt by thousands of Waterbury students.
We congratulate every educator honored this year and thank them for their dedication to the next generation.
And now, we wish Raymond Santovasi the very best as he goes on to represent Waterbury Public Schools in the Connecticut Teacher of the Year process.
Stay tuned — we’ll be back next year to celebrate another outstanding group of Waterbury educators.
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