CONCORD – Two Manchester School District educators are among the 15 semi-finalists for the 2025 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Award. The state Department of Education, which operates the annual program, made the announcement on Tuesday.
Manchester's semi-finalists are Chelsea Barrett Viera of Highland-Goffe's Falls Elementary School and Nicole Gammella of the Middle School at Parkside.
"I am so excited to have made it to the semi-finalist round of the 2025 Teacher of the Year program," Barrett Viera said. "I am proud to represent Manchester School District as a self-contained autism teacher at Highland-Goffe's Falls. I wish all the semi-finalists the best of luck!"
"I am humbled and honored to be recognized as a semi-finalist for the 2025 Teacher of the Year," Gammella said. "I am proud to represent not only Parkside Middle School, but our entire district. I look forward to the rest of this journey alongside many other great teachers here in New Hampshire. Best of luck to all who are continuing on this journey, as well!"
The 15 semi-finalists were selected from a total of 251 nominees and 76 applicants. The process begins each year with nominations – educators can choose to complete the application to continue on. A selection committee then narrows the field to semi-finalists who will make presentations this summer.
“I am thrilled to learn we have two of our educators advancing in the selection process for Teacher of the Year,” said Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel Gillis. “While we are aware of the amazing teachers we have within the district, it is even more incredible to see the contributions of two of our teachers recognized at the state level. We are eager to watch the selection process progress and wish Chelsea and Nicole the very best in the balance of this process.”
A total of 11 Manchester School District educators were among the nominees announced by the state earlier this month. You can find our story about them here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1603249.
Including Barrett Viera and Gammella, the semi-finalists include:
Chelsea Barrett Viera – Highland-Goffes Falls Elementary in Manchester
Michele Brezovec – South Meadow School in Peterborough
Kristen Dacey – Dr. Lewis F. Soule Elementary School in Salem
Candice DeAngelis – Bedford High School in Bedford
Amy Doolin – Newfound Regional High School in Bristol
Jeff Durell – Barrington Middle School in Barrington
Rebecca Fortgang – Fall Mountain Regional High School in Langdon
Nicole Gammella – Middle School at Parkside in Manchester
Brian Gray – Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston
Brittney Hewett – Hampstead Middle School in Hampstead
Matt Holland – White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield
Kim Houghtaling – Cooperative Middle School in Stratham
Laura McKenna – Mill Brook School in Concord
Amy Poirier – Dover High School in Dover
Jason Schrack – Adeline C. Marston School in Hampton
A final recipient will be selected this fall. The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be New Hampshire’s entrant in the National Teacher of the Year program, which is run by the Council of Chief State School Officers. You can read more about New Hampshire's Teacher of the Year program on the state's website.