Educator Profile    Educators

Desi Nesmith (CT '14)

Assistant Executive Director

CREC (Capital Region Education Council)
Hartford, CT

At the time of the Award, Desi Nesmith was:

Principal
Metacomet School
Bloomfield, CT

Subject(s) taught: General Elementary


Biographical Information

Desi Nesmith joined CREC (Capital Region Education Council) as Assistant Executive Director in 2024, having previously held the position of Assistant Superintendent at Bloomfield Public Schools. Prior to this role, he was the Deputy Commissioner at the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), where he oversaw the Strategic Planning, Performance, Academic and Turnaround offices.

At the time of the award, Desi was the principal of Metacomet Elementary School in Bloomfield Connecticut.

“What are we going to do to make sure every child succeeds?” This is not only the mantra that Desi Deon Nesmith uses to motivate his teachers and staff at Metacomet Elementary, but it’s also the driving force behind every decision he makes as the school’s principal.

For Nesmith, his job’s personal. As a former student of Metacomet who lived across the street as a child, he has a special history with the school. “I’m home!” he’s fond of telling the school community. And all the students are made to feel the same each morning as they step off the school bus and are greeted by Nesmith with handshakes, high-fives and words of encouragement.

Nesmith is the type of leader who’s in the trenches with faculty, working hard to make sure the instructional practices and curriculum are not only achieving results, but are also ensuring that every child’s needs are met. His success in closing the achievement gap serves as a model for other schools throughout the country. This success is due, in part, to his team’s practice of developing individualized learning plans for each student and using data to make corrections throughout the year.

Since he became principal, Metacomet has eliminated a third-grade achievement gap in reading by 19 percent, with reading scores currently exceeding the state average by 8.1 percent. Test scores in writing and math also are above the state average. Previously, Nesmith presided over the turnaround of SAND Elementary School, which went from being the sixth lowest performing school in Connecticut to being recognized in 2010 as one of the top ten improved schools.

Nesmith’s impact extends well beyond the campus. He is vice president of the Neag School of Education Alumni Association at the University of Connecticut and has spoken to members of Congress about services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

But Nesmith’s true gift may be his ability to inspire everyone he comes in contact with. “Mr. Nesmith was always there for me,” recalls a former student whom Nesmith taught and continued to mentor after he graduated. Now a scholarship student in college, he credits Nesmith for being there when it was most critical. “I want to make a difference in a kid’s life, like Mr. Nesmith made a difference in mine.”


Related Connections

Milestone: Desi Nesmith (CT 14) Named State Deputy Commissioner

Article: Why I Became a Teacher

Educator Quote:

“As educators, we shape the world. In order to do so we..." (read more)


Desi Nesmith Newsletters

To Teach or Not to Teach?
May 05, 2015

Setting Sail for a New World
Oct 13, 2014


Desi Nesmith In The News

Clinton Avenue Teacher Wins National Honor
New Haven Independent  |  Oct 01, 2019  |  New Haven, CT

Interim Commissioner of Education Appointed in Connecticut
Connecticut Post  |  Jun 28, 2019  |  Bridgeport, CT

Award-Winning Bloomfield Educator Taking Off For State Job
The Hartford Courant  |  Sep 03, 2015  |  Hartford, CT

Bloomfield Schools Stage a Comeback
The Connecticut Mirror  |  Jun 08, 2015  |  Hartford, CT

Principal Donates 10 Percent Of Award To Fund Scholarship
Hartford Courant  |  Apr 07, 2015  |  Hartford, CT

WATCH: Principal Stunned With $25K, "Oscars of Teaching" Award Surprise
WVIT-HD  |  NBC  |  Oct 10, 2014  |  West Hartford, CT

Bloomfield's Metacomet Elementary School Principal Receives Milken Educator Award
Hartford Courant  |  Oct 09, 2014  |  Hartford, CT

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