State Education Fellow
Desi Nesmith
Connecticut
Chief Turnaround Officer, Connecticut State Department of Education
Desi Nesmith, Chief Turnaround Officer at the Connecticut State Department of Education and former principal of Metacomet Elementary School, has a deep commitment to education. As a former student of Metacomet Elementary School in Bloomfield Connecticut, he had a personal history with the school. Being able to return to the community that raised him and having an integral part in educating future generations, was invaluable to him.
In 2010, Mr. Nesmith was awarded Outstanding Young Professional Award from the Neag School of Education Alumni Society, Connecticut Association of Schools First Year Principal of the Year, and was also the recipient of University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Promising Young Professional Award.
Mr. Nesmith’s most notable achievement was on October 9, 2014. He was awarded the Milken Educator’s Award, the only educator from the state of Connecticut to receive the award that year. To receive this prestigious award at Metacomet, where the seeds of his learning were nurtured, is something he will always treasure.