Excellence in teaching: Hannah Krengel and Tammy Schillinger

Two more City School District of Albany teachers are receiving statewide recognitions for their excellence – and both are based at Albany International Academy’s Newcomer Program.

Congratulations to Hannah Krengel and Tammy Schillinger, who were each nominated for these honors by their colleagues.

Krengel, a high school English Language Arts teacher, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Educator of Excellence Award from the New York State English Council (NYSEC). She will be honored later this month at the organization’s annual conference.

Schillinger, who teaches third grade, has been named the New York State TESOL Teacher of the Month. She will be recognized at the group’s annual conference in November.

Krengel brings more than a decade of classroom experience to her students. After teaching for seven years in Queens, she joined the district in 2021 and has been at Albany International Academy (formerly Albany International Center) ever since.

“Part of why I love this school and teaching students who are brand new to this country and the English language is because I have the opportunity to watch students who start out hesitant to find their voices, share their thinking with confidence, and realize they have something important to contribute,” Krengel said.

Schillinger also brings deep experience to her role. She began her career in the district in 2002 at Delaware Community School, later moved to Giffen Memorial Elementary School and transitioned to Albany International in 2021. Inspired by her experiences with students facing language barriers, she shifted her focus to English as a New Language (ENL).

“Helping a student find their voice in a new language, watching them gain confidence, navigate their environment, and connect with others has always been incredibly rewarding,” Schillinger said. “That sense of impact and knowing I can help someone navigate a new language continues to inspire me every day.”

Together, Krengel and Schillinger exemplify the commitment, passion and skill that define  the City School District of Albany. Their recognitions not only celebrate their individual achievements but also highlight the powerful work happening every day at Albany International Academy to support and empower multilingual learners.