SPS Spotlight

Each year, a committee of Stamford Public Schools (SPS) teachers recognizes outstanding educators in the district through
 its Teacher of the Year and Spotlight on Teaching Programs.  From among many individual and team candidates, the Committee selected Elba Sims, Turn of River Middle School (TOR), New Arrivals as the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year.  The Committee selected five teachers to be part of our Teacher of the Year Cohort for 2023-2024  and twenty-one Spotlight Award honorees.

In honoring Elba Sims, the committee recognized her as a dedicated, compassionate, and inspirational teacher and an impassioned
 and engaged member of her community. She has been compared to a superhero, teaching as many as 20 New Arrival students, who spoke up to eight different languages, at one time.  Her classroom is a safe space filled with enriched charts, visuals, vocabulary,
 and love. When not in the classroom, Sims is an active member of various organizations, including Building One Community, Parent University and the TOR School Governance Council. She is a dedicated member of the ASD program and advises the LGBTQ Club at TOR. “Elba Sims is a resource to our entire staff,” explained Bredan Fox, Turn of River Principal. “Teaching is a team sport, and Elba is very much a team player.” As the SPS Teacher of the Year, Sims is eligible and will apply for State of Connecticut Teacher
 of the Year. 

Elba Sims leads the SPS Teacher of Year Cohort which includes:

• Jesy Clark, Strawberry Hill School, First Grade
• Wendy Bosco, Westhill High School, 9th Grade Science
• Rebecca Chuhta, Springdale Elementary School, General Music and Chorus, K-5
• Catie Ramsey, Westhill High School, Art

The Teacher of the Year Cohort was selected from the candidate pool by a process in which candidates submitted essays and
 were interviewed. Once the cohort was selected, each candidate submitted a 30-minute classroom video for further consideration. 

In addition to the Teacher of the Year Cohort, twenty-one honorees have been named as part of the Spotlight on Teaching Program. Spotlight on Teaching honorees are nominated by their teaching peers. The recognition is awarded to individuals and teams who make a special impact on their school community. 

The Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Program Committee has selected the following outstanding teachers and teaching
 teams as this year’s Spotlight individual and team Honorees:

• Jessica Buckett, Westover Elementary, 4th Grade
• John Dalton, AITE, Social Studies
• Alyssa Domini, AITE, English
• Karen Gonillo, Hart Magnet, Technology Integration Support Specialist
• Maria Guzda, Hart Magnet, Teacher Leader
• Emily Hadin, Rippowam Middle School, 8th Grade Science
• Karen Murano, Cloonan Middle School, Spanish
• Patty Pansino-Ruffo, Stamford High School. Italian
• Nicole Schmalz, Westover Elementary, 4th Grade
• Jane Wall, Davenport Elementary, New Arrivals

 

• Team: Westover ASD - Specialized Classrooms
  • Jesse Currier
  • Mary Kate Garcia
  • Toni Lynn Peruzzi
• Team: SPS Anchor Middle School
  • Mina Bibeault
  • Anthony Buzzeo
  • Ryan Carey
  • Jennifer Chichester
  • Mary Martin 
  • Ryan Perkins
  • Robert Trifone
  • Howard White

The Teacher of the Year and Spotlight on Teaching Program committee members are all current  teachers in Stamford Public
 Schools. They evaluated all submissions as peers, based on the following criteria:  Outstanding Teaching, Exceptional Student Support, Exemplary Community Involvement and Positive Influence on School Culture.  From among the submissions, the committee chose 21 individuals to be honored with a Spotlight Award, as well as the five member Teacher of the Year cohort.  The event to honor the Teacher of the Year 2023-2024, the Teacher of the Year Cohort 2023-2024 and Spotlight 2023 Honorees is on May 11th at "The Village" in Stamford.

 Remembering Stamford High’s Curtis Tinnin…1957-2023

This month we shine the SPS Spotlight on a long-time member of our school community who passed away. Last week, Stamford High School said goodbye to a true legend, Curtis (Curt) Tinnin. With a great sense of humor and a smile, Curt devoted more than 30 years of his life to keeping the Stamford High hallways safe, teaching students to play basketball, serving as a mentor, and giving Stamford's youth a way to connect with a caring adult.

Curt was recently named the 2023 CIAC Assistant Coach of the Year. A longtime SHS security officer, Curt patrolled the sidelines in both boys’ and girls’ basketball for more than 30 seasons. 

“Simply, Curt WAS Stamford High, and his influence on those who knew him will endure,” explained SHS Principal, Matt Forker. “Curt was a good man with a heart of gold, was a person who generally cared about you, and was someone you could call a friend. It's safe to say that his influence on our children, our school, and our community will last generations, and we won't soon forget him.”

The SPS Spotlight celebrates staff members, students or alumni who illustrate outstanding achievement, exemplary community involvement and illustrates the mission of our school community. Each Spring, Stamford Public Schools recognizes outstanding teachers in the district through its Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Program. 
 

 Karen Murano, World Language Teacher & Learner, Gives Back 

Karen Murano CMS World Language teacher believes in professional learning and giving back. Recently, while working on her own studies she found two grants to help CMS and SPS increase educational diversity for language exposure and enrichment. Karen also believes in looking at life for its beauty. She often says how in the Italian culture they think that life is beautiful - “la vita è bella'', and she teaches children that the citizens of Italy recognize their nation as  “L’Italia…il bel paese” “Italy, the beautiful country”. She wants her middle school citizens to see the beauty related diversity when learning a second or third language. Karen teaches with the CMS CARES philosophy in mind. She is appropriate, respectful, empathetic and supportive each and every day and she looks to help her students demonstrate these ideals as well. 

“Ms. Murano demonstrates her love of languages, culture and humanity on a daily basis. In addition to sharing her love of Italian in the after-school program, she teaches Spanish to 7th and 8th graders during the regular school day”, explained Cloonan Principal, David Tate. “Karen consistently finds ways to help students broaden and deepen their knowledge of culture. For many of them, this develops a better understanding and appreciation of their own cultures.”

Karen recently was awarded an IACE grant. Italian American Council on Education (IACE), under the supervision of the Consulate General of Italy in New York, provides incentive grants for Italian language instruction. She also was awarded funding from the grant covering a salary stipend and Studio Arcobaleno educational materials, including textbooks to support the after-school Italian program at Cloonan.  

Thank you to Karen for going above and beyond to inspire SPS students to become global citizens. Cloonan’s after-school Italian program is an example of how SPS offers our students a learning experience rich in cultural diversity and reflective of the global society in which they will work and live.  

The SPS Spotlight is a new initiative to celebrate staff members, students or alumni who illustrate outstanding achievement, and exemplary community involvement and illustrates the mission of our school community. Each Spring, Stamford Public Schools recognizes outstanding teachers in the district through its Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Program. 

 

 

WHS Senior Tianna Williams for Using Art Therapy to Help Others 

Westhill Social Worker Leisha Prescod and School Counselor Tynequa Bell partner with Principal Rinaldi to host a weekly group designed to help Westhill's female students manage academics and life challenges, promote school connectedness, and navigate the future.  At a recent meeting,  senior Tianna Williams conducted an Art Therapy session with the group. Tianna has been exploring the arts as a potential career focus. She shared research about art therapy, discussed what drew her to the topic, and shared about her childhood love for drawing and painting. 

“It’s so important to promote and share how our students prepare themselves for life and career beyond high school.” explained outgoing Board of Education member Jennienne Burke. “The support of WHS social work staff and counselors was a key part of Tiana’s Art therapy implementation project.”

We recognize Tiana in the Spotlight this month as a student who is not just thinking about life after high school, but taking steps to build her future.  Congratulations to Tianna for taking actionable steps to explore a potential career path and then sharing her knowledge for the benefit of her fellow students. 

The SPS Spotlight is a new initiative to celebrate staff members, students or alumni who illustrate outstanding achievement, exemplary community involvement and illustrates the mission of our school community. Each Spring, Stamford Public Schools recognizes outstanding teachers in the district through its Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Program.

SPS Spotlight

Recognizing Cloonan Middle School’s Lisa Colonna-Faye 
Stamford Public Schools is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Cloonan Middle School’s Lisa Colonna-Faye, for inspiring us with her efforts to improve her school community.

Lisa has proven herself to be a valuable asset to the Cloonan Community. Her easy-going nature and adaptability has been appreciated as the Special Education staff continues to navigate CTSEDS. She is currently mentoring two of our new staff members, but has taken many others under her wing. According to Cloonan Middle School Assistant Principal Jillian Churchill, “Lisa has become the "go-to" person in the building for special education needs and advice. Her ability to co-teach is seamless, natural, and a joy to watch”. 

Beyond mentoring fellow staff members, Lisa is an inspirational teacher, life long learner, and a positive influence on her school community. Lisa continuously works to modify her lessons, build rapport and help students love math. SPS celebrates Lisa’s efforts to be consistently prepared and appreciates how she helps her students to navigate the difficulties of 8th grade. 

We are so grateful to have her as part of the SPS team!  If you find yourself at Cloonan Lisa will be there to lend a hand, answer any questions and be a team player. 

The SPS Spotlight is a new initiative to celebrate staff members, students or alumni who illustrate outstanding achievement, exemplary community involvement and illustrates the mission of our school community. Each Spring, Stamford Public Schools recognizes outstanding teachers in the district through its Teacher of the Year and Spotlight Award Program.