Congratulations to Birchwood’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Carolyn Crofton! Mrs. Crofton has been an ENL (English as a New Language) teacher here in the South Huntington School District for 17 years. She’s been part of the Birchwood family since she joined the district in 2007 and has taught ENL students in grades three, four, and five in self-contained, dual language and inclusion classes. Her lessons go well beyond teaching her students to speak, read and write English. There are also the other core subjects of math, social studies and science, as well as the district’s social-emotional curriculum. Mrs. Crofton is praised by colleagues for creating a warm learning environment for an academically diverse group of students with differing skill levels who always feel supported by her. Birchwood principal Dimitri Bernadel said “Mrs. Crofton has walked into Birchwood with a smile every day for the past 17 years and made it her mission to inspire each and every student, colleague, and parent to achieve greatness.”

Teaching is Mrs. Crofton’s second career! Her first career was in the restaurant business. She and her husband owned a restaurant together and worked with each other for many years, doing all the jobs owning a restaurant entails, while raising their family. But it was her time at the restaurant that helped Mrs. Crofton decide to switch careers. “I was inspired to go back to school and become an English as a New Language teacher after spending time teaching English to some of our employees during breaks and before work,” explained Mrs. Crofton, “and by the wonderful teachers my children had.” She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from C.W. Post and received her Master’s Degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Hofstra University. 

This exceptional educator has had an impact on the Birchwood community both in and out of the classroom. Mrs. Crofton offers extra help outside of class, connects with families, and advocates for her students. She’s a Project Excel Mentor. And she doesn’t just teach her students, she teaches parents as well. Since 2012, she’s been a teacher with the ENL Parent Workshop for parents of English Language Learners who are new to Birchwood. She provides them with resources and information so they can fully understand and support their child’s education. Her language skills are also generously shared with her colleagues. Mrs. Crofton is happy to help when asked to translate phone calls or conferences so others can effectively communicate with parents about students’ successes and challenges. To further bond with her young learners, don’t be surprised to see her dancing as part of Birchwood’s annual teacher pep rally performance, dressing up for spirit days, and participating right along with students at assemblies.

By connecting with her students, Mrs. Crofton says she continuously learns new things about herself through her students’ life experiences that they share with her. Learning about other cultures and countries makes her want to travel more. “South Huntington is special to me because it has given me opportunities to grow and to reach my potential.”

Mrs. Crofton is very honored to be recognized as Birchwood’s Teacher of the Year. “I love what I do and am proud of being an educator,” said Mrs. Crofton, “but when I realized that others have taken notice of that and believe in me and my abilities, it has been humbling.”

Birchwood principal Mr. Dimitri Bernadel (right) and assistant principal Mrs. Renee Schumm (left) join in congratulating the intermediate school’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.