NMHS teacher hoping to win title that will bring $25K to school

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — A New Milford High School teacher is current in the running to be America’s Favorite Teacher.

Science teacher Noah Hurlburt is currently in second place in his group, as of this posting March 26. But two more periods of voting are planned before the winner is announced.

The winner will receive $25,000, a feature story in Reader’s Digest, a trip to Hawaii, and a school assembly with Bill Nye.

Courtesy of Noah Hurlburt/Noah Hurlburt teaches science at New Milford High School.

“I have received such a warm welcome here that I was looking for a way to have an impact on student lives in the community,” Hurlburt said. “There are lots of grant opportunities, but when this contest popped up, with a $25,000 grand prize – including a visit from Bill Nye the Science Guy to our school – I felt that it was okay to step outside my comfort zone and throw my hat into the ring.”

If Hurlburt advances to the final round and were to win, he would create a scholarship at NMHS for a graduating senior that is entering the field of education.

“The idea of being able to give the students of New Milford multiple years’ worth of scholarship money to pursue their passions is too important to pass up,” the educator emphasized.

Hurlburt said he would name the scholarship after his wife’s grandmother who was an educator for 43 years and still, in her early 90s, “waxes poetic about her students, the community, and the people that she was fortunate enough to work with.”

“We have always wanted to make a scholarship in her name, and the option of having her at graduation to hand out a scholarship would be a dream come true for her,” Hurlburt said. 

Courtesy of Noah Hurlburt/New Milford High School teacher Noah Hurlburt said if were to win the America's Favorite Teacher contest he would use the prize money to start a scholarship - named for his mother-in-law, former educator Rosalie Tobia, right - for graduating seniors pursuing a career in education.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

The America’s Favorite Teacher contest not only provides major support to an educational institution but it also raises funds for The Planetary Society.

Hurlburt is in second place in his grouping, with the top five for each group to close March 27.

“I've been good for the first month of the competition, with the overwhelming and generous support of former students, colleagues, family, and friends,” the teacher said.

Another round begins March 27 and votes will be needed.

There will be one final round after that before the winner is announced.

Hurlburt expressed some concern because he does not have as big of a social media following as many contestants. 

“Being a dad of six, and a teacher, I don't have a ton of time for social media, or to build a brand for myself.”

He expressed his hope that the wider community can propel him to success because it will benefit NMHS and its students.

“To continue to be successful, I'm going to need a larger reach from the community,” he related. “Regardless of the size of New Milford, I believe strongly in the strength of a community to support a worthy cause.”

Individuals who log in can cast one free vote per day (except for March 26 when each vote counts twice.)

To cast additional votes per day, a donation can be made. The donation amount determines how many votes an individual can cast. For example, $10 equals 10 votes.

Hurlburt said vote totals are not shown on the website so he is uncertain how many votes separate him from the first-place contestant in his group at this time.

But he said he is determined to keep plugging along to see if I can make this a reality for our students.”

Hurlburt is new to NMHS, but not to teaching. He is in his 28th year, having first started his career in Vermont.

“I love the daily opportunity to let a child be seen, heard, and valued,” said Hurlburt on his AFT contestant page. “Teaching is about love, building student and family relationships.”

Hurlburt said he was drawn into teaching as a career because he was inspired by his teachers to “look at education as an investment in myself.”

“School was an opportunity, not something being ‘done’ to me,” he said. “Their patience, hard work, and perseverance spoke to me in such a meaningful way.”

While in high school, Hurlburt joined the Big Brother program and became a mentor to younger children. 

“The time with Chris, my little brother, solidified my commitment to working with young people,” he related. “From then on, I have wanted to be an educator.”

CLICK HERE TO VOTE