SEYMOUR – Bungay School teacher Mallory Knutson knew she wanted to be a teacher while attending first grade at Chatfield School.
Her teacher at the time was Diane Trevelin. She made coming to school a fun and exciting adventure.
“I really remember enjoying school that year and wanting to someday give students that same feeling,” Knutson said. “She (Trevelin) made learning fun. She had such a caring and loving demeanor, yet she challenged you – and meant business.”
Fast forward a generation or two, and now Knutson has been teaching at Bungay School for 16 years – and she was recently named Seymour’s Teacher of the Year for 2022 – 2023.
“Mrs. Mallory Knutson is an exemplary teacher for our Seymour Public Schools,” said Superintendent of Schools Susan Compton. “She touches children’s lives every day in the classroom.”
Knutson was recognized earlier this month, along with other top teachers across the state, during a ceremony hosted by the Teacher of the Year Council and the state Department of Education at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford.
A Seymour native, and 2002 graduate of Seymour High School, Knutson earned her degree in education from Western Connecticut State University, and her master’s in education from the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford.
She landed her first teaching gig at Bungay, having taught first grade for a decade and third grade now for the past six years.
Being able to watch students grow and thrive in the classroom makes coming to work every day a joy.
“I love seeing the students’ growth, it’s so rewarding,” Knutson said. “I also love sparking their curiosity and creating inquisitive, lifelong learners. I love the relationships I have built with my students past and present and supporting them outside of school, as well.”
Bungay Principal Mary Sue Feige said walking into Knutson’s classroom always makes her smile.
“On a visit to Mrs. Knutson’s classroom, you feel special,” Feige said. “You will find that Mrs. Knutson motivates and empowers her students to be the best they can be. Mrs. Knutson considers children first. She knows so much about each child and encourages each family to be an active partner during the school year by inviting parents into the classroom, sending messages and pictures to parents and by attending after school events, like softball, baseball and soccer games, of the children in her classroom. Mrs. Knutson believes each child is a special gift and the classroom is truly a great place to be.”
Knutson, who is married to husband Erik and mom to nine-year old son, Bentley, said she feels blessed to be working in Seymour.
“From my first-grade teacher Ms. Trevelin who inspired me, to being a part of the Seymour High School softball state championship team in 2000, and then landing my first teaching position here in Seymour, honestly, there is no other community I would rather be a part of,” Knutson said. “I joke with everyone that I’m pretty sure I bleed blue and gold.”
