Nominee:  Judy Burr

Nominated by:  Krystina Schulze

Our school has become beautiful because of the magnificent moral maintained by this school counselor.  She cares for students and staff unconditionally.  She’s always available to help guide students and staff with her extensive knowledge and is always accommodating, compassionate, and encouraging.  She greets everyone with a smile and is kind-hearted.  The qualities that make her beautiful inside and out have made an essential impression upon our school.

Nominee:  Corine Cagianello-Jones

Nominated by:  Robin Rosen

Corine has been like the neighbor I never had – a support person, with a never-ending positive attitude and a reason to look forward to coming to school to see and share every day!  Thank you for being part of my life!

Nominee:  Sue Comella

Nominated by:  Doreen Pelletier

Day 1 at Coventry High School, I needed a lot of guidance.  With no guidebook to guide me, I found a guidable person who became my own guider.  As she guides, as she has guided me all year long, she has become my “Guidance Angel.”

Nominee:  Sean Cornell

Nominated by:  Alex Perzan, III

Always there for any problem that arises.

Nominated by:  Pat Morales

He goes way beyond to help others.

Nominee:  Paula Curtiss

Nominated by:  Rudi A. Fregin

Paula is the kind of person who you can count on for health advice and a healthy outlook on life.

Nominee:  Jena DeMaio

Nominated by:  Elaine Hoeflein

Even though she was a first year teacher, she shared some of her interesting ideas and techniques with me. She has a great rapport with her colleagues and has much to offer this school!

Nominee:  Kristin Fowler

Nominated by:  Jena DeMaio

This past year I-Team taught English 10 with Kristin  As this was my first year teaching, Kristin served as a mentor to me.  She taught me about the importance of collaboration and we both worked together to ensure that all students could be successful.  She gave me great insight into helping our special education students.  I truly value her perspective and work ethic.  She inspired me this year and will continue to inspire me as well.

Nominee:  Lisa Garay

Nominated by:  Allyson Hand

Emergency medical response for a student in the classroom.  Works well under stressful situations!  Excellent para!!

Nominated by:  Pat Leighton

Her help not only with special education students but many of the other students has been invaluable.  Her dedication has had a profound effect on the students.

Nominee:  Debbie Goodale

Nominated by:  Helen Sanborn

Debbie is an excellent teacher.  She provides students with opportunities, not only to share their knowledge and understanding, but to discover who they are as individuals.  Her high expectations inspire me; her spiritual insights lift my spirit.  I read more at home thanks to her great love and sharing of literature.

Nominee:  Jennifer Jones

Nominated by: Marybeth Moyer

In Jennifer’s role as the reading consultant at Coventry Grammar School she oversees the literacy program for over 400 students.  As part of this position, Jennifer has taken the lead of providing ongoing professional development in all arrears of reading for the staff, has provided in-service for reading room paras and has continually reached out with fellow staff members to provide reading workshops for our parents.  Each week she also plans reading and intervention lessons for all students in the reading room.  Jennifer’s professional manner, her positive outlook and her tireless efforts on providing the very best reading instruction possible are so appreciated!  Thank you Jen!

Nominee:  Jeanne LaHouse

Nominated by:  Nan Kandolin

Jeanne stepped up and took over the school store responsibilities after I was moved to Coventry Grammar School.  It’s a huge undertaking with ordering, set up, breakdown, monies and managing students!

Nominee:  Heather Macintosh

Nominated by:  Gary Cesca

Heather has consistently over time been a strong advocate for students and she truly understands how academics are impacted by personal factors.  For me, she is always available to offer support or to collaborate on how to help a given student.

Nominee:  Jennifer McDougall

Nominated by:  Karyn Deptula

Jen bring life and creativity into every lesson she does.  It seems like every time I meet with her she a new idea for a project or a station activity to help keep students engaged and interested in the topic.  When you walk by her classroom you can SEE the enthusiasm she brings to the classroom. I really feel that in the short time she has been here she has become a model teacher.

Nominee:  Marybeth Moyer

Nominated by:  Jim Careau

She has taught me what a truly early childhood focused school should be.  She has been clear in her expectations and goals and has worked tirelessly to implement a philosophy of caring for children’s emotional and academic well being.

Nominee:  Kim Peck

Nominated by:  anonymous

She has the amazing ability to smile and maintain a positive attitude as she tirelessly works with some of our most challenging students.  She is a great role model for staff and students alike and we are blessed to have her as a part of our GHR family.

Nominee:  Nancy Plaster

Nominated by:  Robert Plaster

I think Nancy deserves credit for all the hours of service she has given to the Coventry Public School system.  I have seen no one as dedicated to their students as she.  Before school, during school, after school and during the summer she continues to work.

Nominee:  Cristy Rau

Nominated by:  Matt Kyer

Kristy has the patience of a saint, whether she’s dealing with her students or her colleagues.  She treats all children, regardless of how much extra energy they require of her, with love and respect.  Even on the most difficult days, it seems that her glass is always half-full!

Nominee:  Bill Scheideman

Nominated by:  Cathy Garrity

Bill has been the model I have used to gauge my own work as a language teacher.  He is the hardest-working, most dedicated teacher with whom I have ever worked.  He creates authentic materials for his French classes, giving his students access to real-life language and culture.  Additionally, Bill has devoted countless volunteer hours to the e-portfolio, making it an exemplar for other schools.  I have been blessed to have worked with Bill Scheideman.

Nominee:  Carol Staron

Nominated by:  Nora Jones and Jeanne LaHouse

Carol is an amazing colleague, teacher, and friend.  Her patience and understanding of children is evident on a daily basis.  Carol takes care and countless hours to modify assignments.  She makes sure that children are challenged and fee included in the regular education classroom.  When a child has given up and just can’t do anymore, she finds a way to motivate them to stay on task.  Thank you for all you do for the GHR community.

Nominated by:  Stephanie Wissler

Carol has taught the grade 4 math class with me this past year.  We have regular and special education students.  She is always ready to help any student who needs it even though we’ve redirected a million times, let them sharpen pencils a thousand times and let them use the bathroom a hundred times!  Carol always does this with a smile on her face!  She has such a quiet way about her and I’m thankful I got to work with her this year!

Nominated by:  Deanna Sokola

She is one of my “go-to” people.  If I need a hand with something or have a question, she will always do what she can to help.  She is always professional and friendly.

Nominee:  Michelle Talaga

Nominated by:  Luke Gabordi

This was my first year of teaching.  I started and finished the year as Matt Hurlock’s long-term sub.  Michelle was absolutely incredible to me.  She guided me in how to be a good teacher, staff member, and mentor to the students.  She was there for everything I needed, and without her, I would have had a much worse year and experience than I did.  It’s also noteworthy that she did this while being very emotionally impacted by the absence of Matt Hurlock, who was not only a colleague, but a close friend.

Nominee:  Sarah Woodin

Nominated by:  anonymous

Sarah helped me tremendously this past year.  Faced with teaching math again for the first time in many years, I would have been lost without her!

Nominated by:  Jeff Spivey

Sarah has been a savior to our grade level for a variety of reasons.  As a teacher who has never worked in reading, she helped me get my footing as I learned the ropes.  She was more like a mentor teacher to me this year and I am indebted to her for this.  I know she has also provided the same level of support to teachers in grade 5 for math and social studies as well.  Sarah is probably the strongest candidate I can think of for this honor!