Norwich Free Academy Teacher Recognized as CT ProStart Educator of Excellence!

Laura Szczygiel, an educator at Norwich Free Academy, has been named the Connecticut ProStart Educator of Excellence for 2025. This recognition highlights her significant contributions and dedication to the ProStart program and her students in a relatively short time.

Norwich Free Academy joined the ProStart program in 2023. Laura used her initial year to become familiar with the curriculum and available resources. In the past year, she embraced the challenge of guiding two teams to CT ProStart Invitational, with one team achieving a third place finish.

Laura's commitment extends beyond classroom instruction. She dedicated considerable personal time, including weekends, to ensure her teams were well-prepared for both practice sessions and the culminating competition. This involved securing necessary equipment, uniforms, and ingredients. Recognizing the financial needs associated with competitive participation, she actively sought and obtained funding to cover these costs, driven by her students' strong desire to compete.

Reflecting on the past year, Laura described it as an "incredible learning experience." She expressed enthusiasm for the future, aiming to build upon this year's successes and further integrate the ProStart program within Norwich Free Academy. Laura believes the culinary program at Norwich Free Academy is highly valued by students, and she is confident that the connection to ProStart will contribute to its continued expansion and success.

Laura’s dedication to teaching essential culinary techniques and skills is aimed at empowering her students to pursue their career aspirations and passions within the culinary arts.

“Mrs. Szczygiel is always helping us get better, whether it’s preparing for competitions or learning about how to apply these skills outside of school,” says Rose Cote, one of Szczygiel’s students in the ProStart Program. “She encourages us to do our best and teaches us not just how to cook, but also how to be responsible and professional. Her commitment to us makes her a perfect choice for this award, and I know I’m not the only one who feels lucky to learn from her.”

This award serves as a testament to her impact and commitment to the next generation of culinary professionals in Connecticut. Congratulations Laura!