
HPS Selects 3 Finalists for the 2019 Teacher of the Year Title
After an intensive screening and interview process, Hartford’s 2019 Teacher of the Year choice is down to three finalists.
A special district wide committee selected Zuleyka Shaw, a science teacher at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy; Nicole DiFabio, a social studies teacher at Hartford Public High School’s Academy of Engineering and Green Technology; and Narciso Moquete, a 4th grade teacher at SAND School. The finalists are being video-taped conducting a class at their schools and asked to complete a series of written essay questions as part of their final evaluation.
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Zuleyka Shaw Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy |
Nicole DiFabio Hartford Public High School |
Narciso Moquete SAND School |
Read more about this science teacher, here. | Read more about this social studies teacher here. | Read more about this 4th grade teacher here. |
The selection committee is made up of Hartford Public Schools academic professionals, officials from the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and former winners of the event. 40 schools, each submitting one nominee, are participating in the competition. All school-based candidates will also be recognized at the banquet.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet to be held at the Hartford Marriott Downtown Hotel, located at 200 Columbus Blvd.
All nominees must be tenured K-12 teachers in the Hartford Public Schools system. They must exhibit exemplary teaching skills, show commitment to the belief that all children can learn and must be active in community and humanitarian efforts. Last year’s winner was Benjamin Carlson, a Physical Education teacher at Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School.
TICKET SALES ARE CLOSED. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ATTENDING, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEND EMAIL.
Here are this year’s nominees:
School/Location | Candidate name |
Asian Studies at Bellizzi School | Tina Titus |
Betances Early Reading Lab Magnet School | Donna DiPreta |
Breakthrough II Magnet (North) School | Afton Gilyard |
Breakthrough Magnet (South) School | Danielle Mullings |
Bulkeley High School | Gina Rodriguez |
Burns Latino Studies Academy | Cheyenne Mayo |
Burr School | Amanda Webster |
Capital Preparatory Magnet | Lee Mascolo |
Classical Magnet | Lauren Silva |
Environmental Sciences Magnet at Mary Hooker | Kerry Eagan |
Expeditionary Learning Academy at Moylan | Lisa Gruber |
Global Communications Academy | Sharon Ford |
Great Path Academy at Manchester Community College | Liahna Gonda-King |
Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy | Zuleyka Shaw |
Hartford PreK Magnet School | Laura Gouin |
High School, Inc. / JMA | Susan Johnston |
HPHS Academy of Engineering & Green Technology | Nicole DiFabio |
HPHS Law and Government Academy | Kaitlyn Curran |
HPHS Nursing Academy | Elizabeth Matthews |
Kennelly School | Ashley Bonet |
Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts | Heather Dinnald |
M.D. Fox School | Laura Munafo |
McDonough Middle School | Kailyn Polzella |
Milner Elementary School | Keisha Evans |
MLK Middle School at Rawson | Rosanne Morris |
Naylor School | Jose Rosario |
New Visions | Amy Baldyga |
Parkville Community School | Patricia Hahn |
Pathways Academy of Technology & Design | Katie Boiteau |
Rawson School | Ella Barnes |
Renzulli Gifted & Talented Academy | Sarah Cheney |
Sanchez Elementary School | Carmelo Genovese |
SAND School | Narciso Moquete |
Sport & Medical Sciences Academy | Tawnya Jacocks |
STEM Magnet School at Annie Fisher | Joshua Blanchfield |
STEM Magnet School at Dwight | Danielle Fasciocco |
University High Magnet | Kate Grayeb |
Webster MicroSociety Magnet School | Amanda Pino |
West Middle School | Mary Ellen Fritz |
Wish Museum School | Jessie Ponzo |
Hartford Public Schools is grateful to its invaluable event sponsors.
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