A teacher at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury was named Connecticut's 2026 Teacher of the Year Friday.

Brian Betesh teaches sixth-grade social studies.

Along with teaching, he co-founded clubs, classes and created a podcast studio. Betesh is also a DonorsChoose ambassador for the school.

He said he was humbled by recognition.

"When I applied to work here, I was just a kid looking for a chance and I didn't realize I would find my purpose. There's never been a day in my 19 years of teaching where I woke up and said, 'I don't want to go to school today' and that's not hyperbole, that is the truth. I love coming here because every single day my goal is to make this place better than it was the day before," he said.

During his speech, Betesh said his goals are to elevate the middle school experience and the opportunities his students have. He also said he became a teacher to help students become better versions of themselves.

Betesh is an alumnus of Danbury Public Schools, including Roger Park.