LIFE in the classroom: Another school year begins
by Mark Jahne
Editor
The auditorium at Newington High School was alive with conversation and energy as teachers, administrators and other staff members of the Newington Public Schools gathered for the annual back to school convocation.
The Aug. 26 event provided a way for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maureen Brummett to highlight last year’s achievements, talk about the year to come and honor those who went above and beyond in performing their duties. She emphasized the need for every child to have the same opportunity to reach his or her highest potential.
“Together, we will create an environment where every student feels valued and appreciated,” she said. “We’re here to support you” in achieving that goal.
She offered an update on facility improvements conducted this summer around the district.
Sidewalks at Ruth Chaffee School have been repaired and the parking lot is next on the list.
Sidewalk work was also performed at Elizabeth Green School. The parking lot was repaved at John Paterson School and the boy’s restrooms were upgraded at Martin Kellogg Middle School.
“John Wallace Middle School has been renovated and is ready to go,” she added.
This includes installing doors where there previously were shower curtains.
Sandra Pereira of Elizabeth Green School was publicly honored as the winner of the district’s Paraeducator of the Year Award.
“She is the bridge to success for so many of our learners. We all know that paraeducators play a pivotal role in our schools,” Talisha Foy said.
She is the district’s director of human resources. Pereira said that the work of teachers and paraeducators builds all the other professions a child may choose to enter upon reaching adulthood.
“We are a doorway that gives insight to our learners. We introduce them to various aspects of learning. We are here to develop good citizens,” she said.
Pereira sees her job as providing learning in a positive manner.
“Give it your best and allow the rest to follow,” she added. “Be the educator you want your own children to have.”
Holly Miotke, who is the president of the Newington Teachers Association, shared her gift for comedy as well as teaching mathematics. She told an entertaining story of the trials and tribulations she endured while attempting to replace a lost recycling bin.
The lesson learned was to make sure from the outset that everyone has a common understanding of the situation. It also served as an example of how to handle matters when you make a mistake.
Kimberly DePaolis, who teaches pre-kindergarten at John Paterson School and won the Teacher of Year Award, also was recognized. She is a semifinalist for the state teacher of the year honor. Several of her colleagues waved large photos of her as she took the stage.
She attended kindergarten at John Wallace and now teaches in that same classroom.
“Everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher,” she said. “In this public education system, the light is on us, the teachers.”
She traveled to Norway this summer and learned many lessons from that culture’s perspective. One of them is that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad choices for clothing that does not keep you warm.
New courses at the middle and high schools levels include Accelerated Italian, Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers, Cosmology and Our Universe, Introduction to Genocide Studies, and Popular Music & Diversity in American Society.
Brummett shared statistics showing that the racial and ethnic makeup of the district continues to change. Once the predominant group in the district, White students now represent 49 percent of the overall enrollment.
Hispanic students make up 29 percent of the enrollment. That is followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders at 11 percent, Blacks at 6 percent and those of multiple backgrounds at 5 percent.
“We have become increasingly diverse over the last decade,” she said.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Miguel Cardona, former state commissioner of education and the U.S. secretary of education during the administration of President Joe Biden. He now operates a consulting company called Cardona Solutions.
He spoke about growing up poor and living in a housing project in Meriden. His teachers helped him to overcome challenges and an art teacher who saw promise in him encouraged Cardona to become a teacher.
“My journey is living proof that just one tap on the shoulder in a public school can change your life. Public education is the great equalizer. You’re the ones who work tirelessly to help students achieve success,” he said.
He added that it is important for educators to meet their students where they are.
“This is not easy work. Every year the needs grow,” Cardona said. “You have the ability to see past what their current goals are. Students learn better when they feel like they are part of the community. Enjoy the journey,” he added. NL