Congratulations to Birchwood’s Teacher of the Year Ms. Kristen Tohill!  Ms. Tohill has been part of the South Huntington family for nearly 20 years, spending all of those two decades as a special education teacher at Birchwood Intermediate Center. She has worked as both a self-contained teacher and an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) teacher. In an ICT class, a special education teacher and a general education teacher team up with both special education and general education students learning together in an inclusive classroom. Ms. Tohill currently teaches in a fifth grade ENL (English as a New Language) and ICT setting. Upon arriving in South Huntington after teaching for a few years in Brooklyn, Ms. Tohill says “I knew I had found a place where I truly belonged. Twenty years later, it still feels like home, and I’m grateful to have spent my career here.”

 

In praising Ms. Tohill’s advocacy for her students, Birchwood principal Dimitri Bernadel said “her heart and soul are dedicated to the students and families” of South Huntington. “Ms. Tohill  works in perfect sync with her [teaching] partner, creating a seamless environment where it is impossible to distinguish between general and special education students. There is simply a community of learners. She challenges her students to think critically, discuss complex ideas, and work collaboratively, skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.”

 

Colleagues call her lessons “magical, mind-stimulating experiences” because she wants students to enjoy school. For example, lessons can include building marshmallow towers, nurturing hamsters, reading with flashlights, and learning letter sounds with shaving cream. Her fellow educators also look to Ms. Tohill to mentor teachers who are just starting their career, and to share ideas on how to best support struggling students. “From behavioral issues to academic issues, Ms. Tohill always has a plan, and we have all learned something from her.”

 

One parent of a former fifth grade student praised Ms. Tohill as “the teacher that changed my son’s life for the better.” The “safe space” that Ms. Tohill created in her classroom helped her son discuss his feelings and what he was struggling with, and “[helped] guide him in solving any struggles in a positive and peer accepting way, which taught him that his opinion does matter, but the way you express your thoughts have a big impact as well.” 

 

Ms. Tohill earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Oneonta University, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Long Island University. She is certified in Elementary Education PreK–6, and Special Education grades 1–6. She spoke with us about her teaching career and what being named Teacher of the Year means to her.

 

Q & A

 

What inspired you to become an educator?

My fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Doheny, was the reason I knew I wanted to be a teacher. He genuinely cared about our lives outside of school and had a way of making learning exciting and fun. He made every student feel seen and valued, not just for what we knew but for who we were. Experiencing that kind of connection inspired me to create the same kind of classroom where students feel supported, curious, and excited to learn. As I got older, I initially thought I would want to teach younger grades. However, during my student teaching in third and fifth grade, I discovered how much I loved working with this age group. I was drawn to their curiosity, growing independence, and enthusiasm for learning, and I knew this was where I belonged.

 

What is your favorite part of the school day?

That’s a tough one! I love the peaceful quiet before the kids arrive. It’s my chance to plan all the fun learning we will share that day. But just as much, I live for those first morning moments with the students, when we get to laugh, chat, and make connections before the whirlwind of the day begins. Honestly, those morning conversations are EVERYTHING! I believe the culture of a classroom depends on the relationships we build with our students.
 

What have your students taught YOU?

My students teach me something every single day. Whether it’s a creative way to solve a problem, a perspective I wouldn’t have considered, or a reminder to slow down and see the world through a child’s eyes, they keep me learning right alongside them. They remind me that curiosity, kindness, and resilience matter just as much as academic success. Because of them, I’m constantly reflecting, growing, and becoming a better educator and a better person.

 

How do you demonstrate your Wildcat Pride? What makes the South Huntington School District special to you?

While you won’t see me decked out for every spirit day, my South Huntington pride is loud and clear in how I show up for my students every day. What makes this district special to me is the sense of community—students, teachers, and staff supporting one another and working toward a shared goal. It’s a place where collaboration matters, effort is noticed, and people genuinely care. Where else can you survive the chaos of a school day and still leave smiling? That’s South Huntington magic.

 

 

What does being named Teacher of the Year mean to you?

Being named Teacher of the Year is such an honor, and honestly, a bit surreal! It’s a reminder of why I became a teacher in the first place: to connect with students, spark their curiosity, and make learning fun and engaging. But really, it’s also a reflection of the amazing community around me! My students, colleagues, and the South Huntington family make every day meaningful. It makes me proud of the work we do together. I am inspired to keep growing, learning from my students, and giving my very best!

 

(this interview has been edited and condensed for clarity)
 

 

 

Birchwood principal, Mr. Dimitri Bernadel (right) and assistant principal, Ms. Renee Schumm (left) join in congratulating their building’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Kristen Tohill (center).