WOODBURY — Easygoing, kind, and personable is a great way to describe Nonnewaug business teacher Adam Lengyel.

Lengyel grew up in Shelton, Conn., and attended Shelton High School. Lengyel stated that “when I was in high school I wanted to be a teacher, but changed my mind when I got to college to pursue a degree in business.” 

That all changed when he had kids. Lengyel is the proud father of two kids: 13 year-old son, Thomas, and 10 year-old daughter, Quinn. This coming August, Lengyel and his wife will be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. A recent addition to the Lengyel family is dog Cooper, who they got in August of 2020. In addition to spending time with his family, Lengyel enjoys boating, fishing, and playing golf.  

With a love for teaching and business, Lengyel decided to combine the two.

“I got into personal finance when I began teaching the class about 10 years ago at my previous high school, Hill Regional Career High School in New Haven,” Lengyel said. “I believe personal finance should be required of all high school students because it shows students how to set financial goals, and how to create a plan to help achieve those goals. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.”  

Nonnewaug business and technology teacher Devon Bares had this to say about his colleague: “Mr. Lengyel really enjoys helping students as they plan for their future beyond high school, whether it be in the field of business or not. He works hard to help students make connections with what he is teaching to the real world after graduation.”

Lengyel credits much of his success in life to his uncles, who served as role models for a young Lengyel.

“When I was growing up, I had some great role models in my uncles,” he said. “[They] kept me on the right path and offered me great advice that helped me to remain focused in achieving my goals.  They motivated me to do well because I did not want to let them down.  I still have a great relationship with them today and often reach out to them for advice and guidance.”

Lengyel now serves as a role model for others, whether it be his own children, his students at Sunday School, as a coach for his kids’ sports teams, or in the classroom at NHS.

From a student’s perspective, Lengyel couldn’t be nicer.

“He is a very nice person and a great teacher,” said Nonnewaug senior Jacob Wilmont, who had Lengyel for an agriscience business class. “He taught me a lot.”