We surveyed the Upper School to find out which teacher students consider the best dressed. We separated our form by department to find out who won in each. This project was not meant to put down anyone’s sense of style or self, but merely a fun experiment for the Upper School students.
With 84 students participating, the results showed some fun and sometimes surprising winners in each department. In the English department, Haley Hellmann took the victory as the best-dressed English teacher with 30 votes.
In the History department, Diane Pecknold was voted best dressed with 29 votes. Scott Sowers was voted best dressed in the science department with 43 votes. Wayne Kurtz was voted the best-dressed Math teacher with 30 votes.
In the Language department, Dina Cohen was the best-dressed teacher with 44 votes. And finally, Amy Diaz-Newman was voted best dressed Arts teacher with a final vote count of 33.
The Upper School voted Cohen as the best-dressed teacher in the school. She won with a total of 44 votes, with Sowers following shortly behind at 43 votes. This experiment showed us a lot about how different people’s opinions can be, and although there was a clear winner, we had a lot of fun reading out some responses that people had.
Olivia Giraud ‘28 said that Drew Benfer is the best-dressed teacher in the Upper School.
He “looks so sharp in his blazers and stuff.” She went on to say that “He has a positive and charismatic vibe, which makes them [his outfits] better.”
Whether bold or classic, creative or vibrant, every teacher brings something unique to the halls this year. One thing is for certain: our teachers sure know how to make a statement.
Faye • Feb 19, 2026 at 8:09 pm
This was a really fun idea! I never thought about what teachers wore until recently. This makes me think that the teachers have certain styles that match to their personalities. The teachers they even dress to express themselves like we, the students do. Which is a cool thought to think about. The way someone dresses may tell you a lot about them. I love seeing unique styles that may tell you a story about the person wearing it. This was a great article!
Milan • Feb 19, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Shout-out to Dina Cohen for being voted the best-dressed teacher in the Upper School! She got the most votes, which is really cool. I think it’s awesome how teachers show their personality through what they wear, and she definitely stands out in a good way. Keep up the great style!
Brian Jackson • Feb 19, 2026 at 11:14 am
This article is funny to me because I never really thought about who the best-dressed teacher is. I would say mytop 5 is Scott, Kyle, and Kittison. I do once again think this is a funny topic to write an article about,t and I think the teacher should rate the student on the best dressed.
[email protected] • Feb 18, 2026 at 4:16 pm
I really liked reading this article. It’s interesting to see which teachers students think have the best style and how people notice different ways of dressing. I think it’s cool that teachers can show a bit of their personality through what they wear. Even small details can make someone stand out and make the school day feel a little different. For me, Wayne Kurtz is a favorite because his style is sharp and noticeable, but it’s nice to see that every teacher has their own way of dressing. I also like that the poll recognized different styles instead of focusing on just one. Overall, this article made me think about how clothes can be fun and personal, and how they can add a small, positive touch to school life.
Tsukki • Feb 9, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I absolutely agree that both Dina and Scott are very fashionable, but Drew Benfer for sure deserves some praise for his outfits. He is the epitome of formality; every day, he puts on his best dress shirts and blazers, and overall, he’s always looking his best. I also feel that Daniel has some nice outfits. I appreciate his Pac-Man shirt. I think that it’s very fashionable and trendy.
Hunter • Feb 3, 2026 at 6:09 pm
I definitely agree that Dina is one of the best dressed faculty at AFS (and given her two daughters, Samara and Leila, style definitely runs in the family). But I would also like to give a special shout out to former teacher and AFS icon Terri. She always looked super cute in her pumps and signature cloaks and her impact on AFS and universal fashion in general is truly felt. She may be gone, but trust, she will not be forgotten.
Malea • Feb 3, 2026 at 1:56 pm
I appreciate the time it took for all of these votes and tally’s! I think it is wonderful that teachers get to express themselves and they way they dress along with students getting to do the same. You are able to see each of their personalities and interests through what they wear even if they aren’t able to fully express those things to students. This article puts into perspective the fact that teachers are just as creative and expressive as students when they want to be, and they relate to students in that way! I think it was very deserving to give the win to Dina, but I think that Amy could’ve been a close second :).
Nathaniel • Feb 3, 2026 at 11:08 am
I personally think that, while Scott is undoubtedly very well dressed, John Garnivincus deserves some attention for his sense of style. I personally voted for John as best-dressed science teacher because I think, although simple, his outfits are well put together. He has very good taste in button-down shirts and manages to always choose a belt, watch, and pair of pants that perfectly complement his outfit. The result is a classy outfit that puts a stylish twist on the sometimes stereotypical science teacher garb. Additionally, I think Juan Carlos is the best dressed launguage teacher. He has some really cool shirts, including a button down patterened with little T. rexes, and a T-Shirt that displays a knock-knock joke in Spanish: “Que Pasa Calabaza?” His outfits are infused with a sense of humor, and for this reason, I think he deserves the best-dressed language teacher award.
Laiyah S • Feb 2, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Of the outfits I noticed I really like Pharaoh Lewis and Makayla Little’s style. They always experiment a lot and I think it’s really cool. Pharaoh (I think) wears street wear mixed with grunge a little bit and I love it, especially the jeans he wears, they’re super cool. I love EVERYTHING about Makayla’s style, the hair, nails, clothes, shoes, confidence it all just gives every single time. I also like Gio and Maxwell’s hoodies, I think they look very cool. Maxwell’s hoodies always have some sort of design on them and I just love it.I love the different colors Gio wears, it’s not just the same rotation of black, white, beige, grey everyday, he’s like a rainbow.
Rainy • Feb 2, 2026 at 8:53 pm
I am not surprised that Dina won best-dressed teacher – her style is consistently put-together, classy, and cool. I love the style of Makayla Littles ’27. All her outfits display coordination and personal flavor, and they inspire me. I also love Amaya Manigault’s style. It exudes snappiness and creativity. I know Amaya to be a friendly and insightful classmate and fellow dance team member, but I think if I hadn’t met her before, her style would correctly give me the impression that she is a cool and approachable person. I’d also note that Avery Stroeble completely embodied the 1970s to the T for decades day – she and I complimented each other’s outfits that day, which was a fun moment!
Alana Son • Feb 2, 2026 at 5:46 pm
I really admire Kylie Firmin’s style; her outfits are so elegant and classy, I look forward to seeing them every day. The way she puts together pieces is timeless: the bootcut jeans, flats, and sleek sweaters. Kylie isn’t just “trendy,” but she is an everlasting fashion icon. So many students at AFS have such unique styles, and I am glad we do not have a strict dress code because fashion is a way we express our authenticity to the world. I hope this rule never changes because with the inclusive and welcoming culture AFS offers, I feel that students are not afraid to conform to mainstream trends, and feel that they can be authentically themselves, making the AFS hallways a collage of the students’ unique attributes.
Nika • Feb 2, 2026 at 9:06 pm
I completely agree with you Alana! Kylie’s fashion sense is so cute, and so is yours. I love your floral tops and our studious midterm week outfits. I think it’s wonderful that AFS allows us to express ourselves through our clothing. I feel like when I look good, I feel good. By dressing how I want, I am able to feel more comfortable and confident. I also love seeing teachers express their styles. Fashion choices can be very symbolic of people’s characters. I especially love it when we have spirit week and the teachers dress up too. It makes school feel a lot more exciting and brings us closer as a community.
Natalie Kovalenko • Feb 2, 2026 at 9:04 am
A style that stands out to me the most at AFS is the style of Oonagh Moore. Her style has influenced me to adopt a baggy yet cutesy style that she wears so well. It is the intricate details in her outfits that stand out to me. The gold earrings with little emblems, the tooth gems that stand out when she smiles, and the henna tattoos that just pull it all together. Not only am I so drawn to her style, but I also go as far as stealing her clothes just so I can embody a style like that as well.
Alana S • Feb 2, 2026 at 5:53 pm
I agree, I love Oonagh’s style, and I admire her creativity in piecing together such coherent and unique pieces. She definitely is a fashion icon, and I look forward to always seeing her outfits in class and in the halls.
Scott Sowers • Jan 30, 2026 at 9:12 am The Blue and White Pick
I’m honored to have been given this prestigious title. I’d like to thank all those who supported me and voted. I think the whole science department should be recognized here! I kind of define my style as hiker/skater dad-chic, so I’m humbled to hear that I am considered even remotely best dressed. Thank you to my sponsors Vans, Levis, and all flannel clearance racks at various outdoor outfitters. Huge shoutout to Costco as well.