Outfit of the day: Elaine Kotler’s full closets tell the story of a lifelong love of teaching, volunteering and spreading love—in costume

Written by Tracey Weiss

Photography submitted

“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.” So said Mason Cooley, language arts professor known for his witticisms.

He could have been talking about Elaine Kotler—town resident, teacher and lifelong volunteer for many organizations.

Kotler’s outfits, like the woman herself, have a reason and a season. For instance, she said, “being a breast cancer survivor, in October I wear pink every day” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

After her initial diagnosis in 2019 and a double mastectomy, she also developed thyroid and skin cancer. Despite continual infusions and double-digit surgeries, she is still smiling and plotting her next stylish ensemble.

Kotler’s father served in the military; she strongly supports veterans and their families through her volunteerism.

Elaine Kotler, here with Gov. New Lamont, dressed as someone who might have been Noah Webster's next-door neighbor. They were at the dedication of the new roof at Noah Webster's 267th birthday last fall.

In April, Kotler wears purple every day. April is designated as the “Month of the Military Child,” to show support for kids with parents in the military. “When you mix all the colors of the military branches, it makes purple,” she said.

In May, she wears poppy dresses and other poppy clothing to honor fallen military members and support living veterans.

She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Hayes-Velhage Unit 96 of West Hartford, where she serves as their historian, chair of Education, Americanism and other committees. In 2022 she was named the “Unit Member of the Year” by the Department of Connecticut American Legion Auxiliary. In 2025, she received the American Legion's National Americanism Commission Award for outstanding service to the American Legion's Education Program.

Elaine Kotler, left, as Betsy Ross, here with George Washington (her friend Delores in an Elaine Kotler original costume) at the Flags of America Showcase at Town Hall on February 15.

Kotler keeps her various outfits in her home by theme. One closet at home has all her patriotic outfits. She’s been Clara Barton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Bety Ross, all worn to honor a holiday or make an appearance at an event.

Kotler was born and raised in West Hartford and lives in the home her grandfather built, with her four cats, Skipper, Lovey, Oscar and Felix.

What’s better than dressing up for Easter?

She went to Norfeldt Elementary School, King Philip Middle School and Hall High School before getting her undergraduate degree from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She continued on to the University of Delaware for her masters, then University of Hawaii at Manoa to study oceanography.

Elaine Kotler hangs out with her friend, Nikki, at a recent brunch hosted by UConn Health Center at Farmington Polo Club honoring cancer survivors. Photo by Tracey Weiss

She’s been an adjunct professor at Manchester Community College (now known as Connecticut State Community College) since 2001 and still does an online oceanography class for the students.

Over the years, she’s taught science to students at Granby Middle School, Cromwell Middle School, St. Paul’s in Kensington, and Illing Middle School. Her most recent position at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury earned her the inaugural HMH Lighthouse Award. Based on the running theme of the book The Lighthouse Effect, textbook publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) created a nationwide contest seeking nominations for this award in a quest to recognize a “Teacher Who Makes an Extraordinary Impact.”

Fun at Thanksgiving time. Elaine Kotler loves to dress up and has closets full of clothes for it at home.

“In 180 school days they never saw me wear the same thing twice,” she said. “I dressed every single day in a different outfit. Every day had a reason why I dressed like that. “We called it ‘180 Days with Miss K.’ Students voted on what I wore. It makes learning fun.”

She makes a great Thomas Jefferson, and Elaine Kotler had plenty of fun with it, at an event to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday.

Dressing for the occasion also brings her joy, and others as well. One Easter, she ran into a woman in CVS who was having a bad day. Kotler was dressed in one of her signature Easter outfits. Even her car had bunny ears and a tail.

“She came up to me and said, ‘my son just had surgery, and just seeing you now brought me joy.’”

That’s what she does for everyone. WHL