It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2025 District Teacher of the Year, Rosanna Santana. Mrs. Santana has been a teacher at B.F. Norton School since 2009, and in her current position as MultiLingual Learners (MLL) Specialist for the last 3 years. The Cumberland School Department is fortunate to have a dedicated teacher in Mrs. Santana.
When nominations were requested, Sandy Lariviere, B.F. Norton Principal had this to say about Mrs. Santana, “Rosanna is an extremely capable, competent, hardworking teacher with an abundance of valuable institutional knowledge and experience. As an educator, Mrs. Santana is dedicated and compassionate. These qualities make a profound impact not only within the classroom but throughout our entire BF Norton school community. Mrs. Santana is a remarkable MLL (Multilingual Learners) teacher who goes above and beyond to ensure that every student in her classroom and the school receives the support and resources they need to thrive academically and socially. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment is truly commendable. Through personalized instruction and culturally responsive teaching, Mrs. Santana helps her MLL students to embrace their unique identities to be academically successful. As an MLL Specialist, Rosanna works with all grade levels. Rosanna demonstrates a profound understanding of the diverse needs of students, creating differentiated instruction for all grade levels. She always considers their needs and meets them where they are. Rosanna is always available to meet with all the MLL teachers in the school and listen to their needs whenever called upon. Whether she is contacting Spanish-speaking parents and translating for us, organizing the ACCESS testing, or simply being an advocate for our MLL students and teachers, she does this without hesitation. Her unwavering passion for our MLL students and families is evident through her willingness to always help a student or family in need. Beyond her role as a teacher, Mrs. Santana serves as a passionate advocate for students and their families. She recognizes the importance of building strong partnerships between home and school, and actively engages families in their children’s education. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, facilitating translation services, or providing individualized support, Mrs. Santana ensures that every family feels valued and supported throughout their time at B.F. Norton. Rosanna has been an invaluable member of our district’s team for many years. At monthly district MLL meetings, Rosanna often shares important information with colleagues, and she has been a leader in rolling out the district’s communication platform, Talking Points, creating and delivering professional development for educators in her school as well as for building and district leaders.” She adds, “Rosanna Santana is not only an outstanding educator but also a dedicated student and family advocate, as well as a catalyst for positive change through her commitment to professional development. Her unwavering passion, empathy, and leadership make her a deserving candidate for the Teacher of the Year award.” Mrs. Lariviere’s remarks certainly resonated with the panel of district administrators and previous District Teachers of the Year. Rosanna was overwhelmingly selected as this year’s DTOY.
On May 2nd, Mrs. Santana was called to a packed gymnasium and met with an emotional surprise. As students chanted her name, she accepted her title. Rosanna thanked the strong team of colleagues who have always supported and mentored her through her journey to becoming a top-notch educator. She loves her job and her B.F. Noton community. The feeling is mutual among B.F. Norton families, offering congratulations and support for this honor, saying, “No one is more deserving than you.”, “Mrs. Santana holds a special place in my heart! She’s an amazing teacher.”, “One of the very best!” and “This makes me so happy! We absolutely love her; one of the best teachers ever. “ Congratulations to Mrs. Rosanna Santana and B.F. Norton School.