In celebration of Paraprofessional Appreciation Day April 2, Hartford Public Schools is excited to announce that a district-wide committee has named the 10 finalists for Paraeducator of the Year. Each year, our schools nominate a paraeducator who demonstrates exceptional skill and dedication to their job. The committee will interview these 10 finalists and determine the Paraeducator of the Year.
Paraeducators play a vital role in our HPS community. Whether they're assisting in the classroom, providing one-on-one support, or helping to create a positive learning environment, paraprofessionals make a difference in the lives of our children in countless ways.
Our Top 10 Paraeducators
Jessica Pezo Burns Latino Academy
Grace Gardner Global Communications Academy
Marsela Mujo Hartford Public High School
Jeanne Harris Naylor School
Anne Castelhano Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School
Peter Ruff Parkville Community School
James Cassell Renzulli Academy
Melanie Tejeda Sanchez Elementary School
Seeta Parkinson SAND School
Faneeza Rahman-Khan STEM Magnet School at Annie Fisher
All of our Nominees
Betances Learning Lab Magnet School | Rebecca Belton |
Breakthrough II Magnet (North) School | Marilyn Rhodes-Gooch |
Breakthrough Magnet (South) School | Gladys Silvestre |
Bulkeley High School | Anne Gilbertie |
Burns Latino Studies Academy | Jessica Pezo |
Capital Preparatory Magnet | Syeda Umme |
Classical Magnet School | Daniella Figueroa |
Environmental Sciences Magnet at Mary Hooker | Jesus Suarez |
Global Communications Academy | Grace Gardner |
Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy | Zazzarro DeCarish |
Hartford PreK Magnet School | Carmen Nazario |
Hartford Public High School | Marsela Mujo |
Kennelly School | Emily Gonzalez |
M.D. Fox School | Lynn Robertson |
McDonough Middle School | Pablo Fernandez |
Milner Middle School | Monica Murray |
MLK Middle School | Anthony Williams |
Naylor School | Jeanne Harris |
Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School | Anne Castelhano |
Parkville Community School | Peter Ruff |
Pathways Academy of Technology & Design | John Gaskin |
Renzulli Gifted & Talented Academy | James Cassell |
Sanchez Elementary School | Melanie Tejada |
SAND School | Seeta Parkinson |
STEM Magnet School at Annie Fisher | Faneeza Rahman-Khan |
STEM Magnet School at Betances | Lisa Kolpak |
Weaver High School | Dionne Scott |
Wish Museum School | Myna Walton |
Thank you and congratulations to all of our paraeducators, and congratulations to our finalists!
Pictured above is last year's Paraeducator of the Year from Sanchez School, Mr. Terrell Hudson. Learn more here:
Congratulations to the Paraeducator of the Year!