"Spotlight on Teachers" Awards: 2008

Students love going to Sara Fabryk’s music class. At choral concerts, she inspires her students to sing their hearts out. During Black History month each year, 5th grade students present an oral report on a famous musician of their choice. Fellow students take notes, and are tested on what is shared. After school, Sara’s Drama Club offers basic voice, drama, and dance training to 4th and 5th graders. The lessons culminate in a performance for residents of Brighton Gardens.

Patrick Alarcon particularly distinguished himself this year by embracing a challenging project involving the NASA International Space Station and high school students from AITE, Los Angeles, and Calgary. As the project’s team leader, Patrick provides students with a unique opportunity to serve as cyberjournalists who research the careers of NASA ISS role models and then create digital portfolios to share with peers, educators, and adults from around the world.

The energetic, dedicated, and highly effective Dolan Physical Education Department has introduced many initiatives to the benefit of students and staff. To name a few examples, this group coaches student basketball and volleyball teams, leads the way for the annual Salvation Army Food Drive, runs the Hoops For Heart/Jump Rope for Heart fundraisers, conducted a professional development workshop for the district’s secondary phys ed staff, instituted “Dolan’s Biggest Loser” staff weight loss initiative, and started a daily before school Walking Club. It should be noted that in addition to the whole team being nominated, Andrea Wiesner was also nominated for this award individually.

As advisor to Westhill’s Academic Quiz Bowl, Michael Capriotti assumed responsibilities for the team in the middle of last year. His students competed in “The Challenge,” News 12’s academic tv quiz show and under his direction, showed an impressive understanding of history, science, math, arts, and literature. The team progressed through the season, cheered on at each competition by a busload of classmates for whom Michael had arranged transportation. With each victory, school spirit grew – and with coaching from Michael, Westhill was named the Connecticut Quiz Bowl State Champion.

The 7th grade D Cog teachers at Turn of River have woven technology into the curriculum in remarkable ways. First, they created a listserv where students and teachers post questions and comments about homework and school-related issues. Then, each teacher has his or her own website where parents can view current projects, such as Operation Iraqi School, in which students are corresponding with a school in the Middle East and raising money to purchase supplies. The team also formed a book club where students read independently Monday trough Thursday, then gather on Friday to chat in groups. Finally, students create their own electronic magazines, using MS Word and Adobe Photoshop, and receive a professionally-bound copy of their work each May.

Carrie Chiappetta exemplifies professionalism, a high sense of duty, a capacity of help others, and a commitment to excellence. In working with secondary schools, Carrie has helped to raise the quality of the math program. Her work with coaches at the middle schools and with the high school math department heads has been exemplary. She has worked with schools, teachers, and outside consultants to support the shift of math instruction to a standards-based approach aimed at raising all students achievement in math. Carrie has presented the progress of secondary math at the Superintendent’s Community Forum last fall and at PTO meetings in several schools.

Throughout her stellar career, June Corridor worked successfully at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels, both as physical education instructor and administrative intern. The hallmarks of her teaching style are a ready smile and an energetic approach to the delivery of curriculum. June plays a pivotal role in school wide events, such as the annual Field Day extravaganza. She conveys to students that she is there for them and also reaches out to fellow staff in a mentoring capacity. Her helpfulness, reliability, and flexibility are appreciated by all who are come into contact with her.

Stephen Fancher is a rare musical talent. He has created annual programs for the 1st and 3rd grades, in addition to enhancing the existing concerts and shows for grades K, 2, 4, and 5. As part of the Flag Day and Veteran’s Day programs, he taught students how to sign along with their singing. Stephen has started a Broadway Kids after school program, which features an annual performance with creative set designs, costumes, and choreography. In his “leisure time” Stephen gives free guitar and piano lessons to students, and coaches individual boys and girls for their big moments at show time, to name just a few examples of his deep commitment to children.

In addition to her duties as a full time social worker, Theresa takes on school and community-based activities such as the American Cancer Society’s Annual Daffodil drive and Scofield’s Holiday Gift Program. This year, Theresa spearheaded the 1st Annual Scofield Book Swap, in which students brought in books to share with classmates. Finally, Theresa’s doctoral dissertation was recently approved and she became Dr. Federici. Her dissertation is based on a program she initiated at Scofield, Students Taking Action Reaching Self-Determination (STARS), in which middle school students are involved in the Planning and Placement Team process, along with parents and teachers.

Dawn, an English teacher, and Darryl, a music teacher, combined their talents to produce a musical written, composed, and performed by TOR students. Each week after school, Dawn and Darryl helped students write the script, lyrics, and music for Let’s Get Real, which is based on realistic events in the lives of middle school students. Students also created the sets and props. Let’s Get Real has received great acclaim and you may soon see it in local community theater!

Jeanne was recognized as the Connecticut CISCO Teacher of the Year at a reception in Washington, D.C. Jeanne’s instruction has resulted in numerous students receiving national certification on the CISCO Certified Network Associate examination. Other students have taken higher level certification exams to prepare for engineering and information technology majors in college. She was also honored this school year by Lt. Governor Michael Fedele for her contributions to technology education.

Fran has won the Connecticut School Counselors Association award for creating and maintaining Westhill’s Guidance Department website. The site has information on hundreds of scholarships, summer programs, college forms and applications, and test registration. Fran is also the Career Center coordinator and works with 50 parent volunteers to make sure all information is current. She trains volunteers to help students with career/college interest inventories and to meet and greet college reps when they visit. She does all this in addition to her caseload of more than 100 students.

As Hart’s Title One Reading teacher, Allyson offers staff development workshops, small group studies, and demonstration lessons to new and veteran teachers alike. Her creativity is evident in her ever popular Title 1 Reading Parties. These parties are for parents and children to engage in fun comprehension and/or phonic games in both English and Spanish. They allow students to demonstrate learned skills and parents to better support struggling readers at home. Families eat together and take home the games and materials.

This spring, Martha was named the Connecticut Association of Adult and Continuing Education’s Educator of the Year. Among her many contributions to her students, Martha is the coordinator for Project Succeed, which helps students gain employment-related skills. She helps students write resumes, cover letters, and thank you notes; she also conducts mock interviews and arranges for guest speakers. Outside the classroom, Martha reads books on her students’ cultures to gain insight into their lives and stays current on employment opportunities for them. She is known as a team player and impacts every aspect of the Adult Education Program.

Jim combines his skills at reading instruction with impacting children in a positive way through his love of music. He was a co-presenter for a variety of CEU sessions focusing on music history and guitar instruction. Jim also participated in several festivals and exhibitions by composing and performing original songs reflecting social studies and science themes. As a 7th grade Language Arts and Reading teacher in the AVID program, Jim created the AVID theme song.

As a founding AVID team member at Cloonan, Melissa infuses AVID methodology into the curriculum and engages students and faculty with innovative practices. She is known for her flexibility in adapting to diverse curriculum, students, and settings. Melissa respects the uniqueness of each child and gives students an urge to explore and plan for university and productive careers.

Doreen works with our twelve elementary schools to support the implementation of the district’s new math program. This involves intensive collaboration with teachers, administrators, and consultants to create a standards-based approach to math instruction aimed at helping all students achieve. Doreen has presented at the Superintendent’s Community Forum, at PTO meetings, and the district’s Family Night for elementary math.

Each Friday morning, Dana’s 4th grade students report the news from “Studio 104” as a supplement to the Language Arts and Social Studies curricula. Students learn note taking, summarization, reading fluency, and oral language by working as reporters, writers, and anchors. The line-up includes world and national news, local news, sports, entertainment, and the weather.

As a bilingual social worker, Juan has had a significant impact on building our community by supporting students, families, and staff. Juan assists families who are new to this country by connecting them with needed resources. His collaborative work with the Aspiring Leadership Through Action (ALTA) program is noteworthy, as are his contributions to the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), The Parent Support Passion Group, and the Systems of Care Group of the Child Guidance Center.

Cara runs the science program at Hart for grades k through 5. All of her lessons are tied to state standards. For each grade, Cara has devised original games, activities, songs, and craft projects that bring to life the scientific concept being taught. Her creativity is an inspiration to classroom teachers and her warmth, empathy, and loving nature are appreciated by staff and students alike.

This dynamic music team creates a wide variety of musical offerings for Newfield students and gives every grade level an opportunity to shine. In addition to the traditional winter and spring concerts, there are the kindergarten follies, grade 1 play, grade 2 artist in residence program, grade 3 music theory program, grade 4 Flag Day musical event, and grade 5 theatrical production. This team works collegially with other staff to plan well prepared activities that tie in to the curriculum.

David is known as a talented artist who integrates art into many academic areas. He has engaged students in projects related to the annual school summer reading program, organized art displays on the evening of the spring musical, and helped students design sets for numerous Cloonan productions. He is known for assisting colleagues in their endeavors while displaying his passion for art in the final product.

Mary and Marilyn introduced Battle of the Books to Northeast eight years ago and it is still going strong. Students are challenged to read 80 books over a three month period. The event begins with a kick off in which staff members dramatize book characters. Classes hold “mock battles” to practice and test their memory of the books read. On the day of the battle, students take their turns at the cues provided. A special Book Character Parade allows students to dress up as their favorite characters. Year after year, the 4th grade looks forward to the Battle of the Books and it has instilled a love of reading in hundreds of students.