8,000 Miles to Midwood: Ms. Alvarez Wins School's 2026 Teacher of the Year Award
Ms. Alvarez in the research room. Photo: Mueez Manzoor
By MUEEZ MANZOOR
Ms. Khrisna Alvarez’s road to Midwood stretches more than 8,000 miles, from the Philippines to a chemistry class in Brooklyn. A decade after she first walked through our doors, that road has led her to the 2026 City of Midwood Teacher of the Year Award.
The honor is one of two that Midwood gives its teachers each year. The Sidney Millman Award is chosen by faculty, but the City of Midwood award belongs to the students alone, who cast the votes.
Before Midwood, Ms. Alvarez taught at a college in the Philippines and came to the U.S. in 2002 to earn her master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. She joined Midwood’s science department in 2016 and now teaches Regents Chemistry and Sophomore Research.
When she heard about the award, “I was just so happy,” Ms. Alvarez said. “I’ve always wanted to teach and empower students to learn in a way that can help them beyond the classroom, so being recognized must mean I’m doing a good job.”
To the students who voted for her, the choice was clear.
“Ms. Alvarez is hands down one of the best teachers I’ve had,” said Vincent Sun ’27. “She not only teaches the material well, she also looks out for her students.”
“She’s such a good teacher who actively encourages us to learn and is able to enlighten the classroom to help us have a good laugh,” said Tina Koplenko ’27.
Much of that laughter comes from Ms. Alvarez’s habit of working the latest trends into her lessons, from slipping the “6-7” meme into a stoichiometry lesson to name-dropping Verity. Students say hearing a chemistry teacher use the same references they use in the hallway is half the fun.
“Ms. Alvarez really changed how I approach science,” said Danny Chen ’28. “Her way of teaching genuinely invites students to learn and have fun, something that many teachers struggle with, I feel.”
The admiration extends down the hall to her colleagues.
“She’s the best, and having her as my coworker over the years has really helped us bond,” said Ms. Stacy Katzoff, a fellow research teacher. “I don’t know what research would be without her!”
This reporter, who took Ms. Alvarez’s Sophomore Research class, sat down with her to ask about her decade at Midwood and the advice she hopes every student will carry with them.
How was your first year at Midwood?
It was hard! I first taught at a college in the Philippines, where the students usually know everything and it’s just a simple recap. But in high school, you end up learning [the importance of] things such as reference tables and breaking down lessons. I learned more about looking at students individually, how everyone comes from different situations, and understanding how it all comes together to shape how they may understand things differently from the methods I was raised with.
What are some of the things you’ve learned over your ten years here?
You really cannot work alone, and understanding that early saves you a lot of hassle. Trying to work by yourself and handle everything on your own will really eat away at your mental health. Asking for help from colleagues and working together will save you an immense amount of stress!
What has kept you teaching?
I love it, as I get to interact with students – I think of it as if I’m investing in their future. If there is any way I can give them a new perspective and help them develop both intellectually and socially, I feel like I can help empower them and tap into skills they may have never known about.
What’s the funniest moment you’ve had in the classroom?
I was teaching balancing redox reactions, and suddenly my smartphone’s Siri blurted, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” The students started to laugh like crazy. It happened several times. That’s why I always turn Siri off on my smartwatch and phone now!
Where do you pick up all your pop culture references?
The students themselves bring it up, and every year it’s new. It’s good to be in touch with the trends to help them have a good time.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A doctor. Growing up in a specialized school, you were automatically expected to get a medical or STEM degree, but to me it was too much memorization. And physics! I really am no good at it. So I simply found something that I loved, and for me it was chemistry.
What’s one topic you wish more students engaged in?
Understanding one another. You can make lifelong friends if you express yourself and open up. You guys all became lifelong friends in my research class back in sophomore year!
What life lesson would you like your students to take with them?
Believe in yourself. Believe that if you put your mind to something and have determination, you can really achieve anything, and never let anyone tell you you can’t.