Elementary School Para Is Farmington's Top School Staffer

FARMINGTON, CT — School starts Tuesday and when classes open for the new school year, one school can boast of having the Farmington School District's top staffer for 2024-25.

The Farmington Board of Education and Farmington Superintendent of Schools Kathleen C. Greider recently announced that Diane Hacker, a Noah Wallace Elementary School instructional paraprofessional, has been named 2024-25 "Staff Member of the Year."

According to the school system, she is "someone who can always be counted upon to step forward to make a positive impact on her students."

As a founding member of the IDEA+ Club, she has written grants that have resulted in "enrichment opportunities for students and inspires students, faculty, and staff to engage in service projects within the Farmington community," wrote the school system in an announcement.

“Diane embodies Farmington’s core belief: 'Actions matter.' If there is an issue that needs to be addressed, Diane is quick to work collaboratively with others to solve it," said Greider in a statement.

Farmington Board of Education Chairman Bill Beckert said Hacker shows the true value of what paras bring to the school community.

“Our paraprofessionals are vital members of our school district, ensuring all students achieve personal and academic excellence in all aspects of their education," said Beckert.

Carrie Huber, Noah Wallace Elementary School’s principal, agreed.

“Diane’s contributions to Noah Wallace and the Farmington Public School reach far beyond the walls of our schools. Diane believes deeply in helping our students, teachers, and staff find ways to help each other feel safe, joyful, and engaged as community members each day," she said.

A 22-year Farmington resident, Hacker said her eight years working for Farmington schools has been an enjoyable endeavor.

“I am both humbled and proud to be named the Farmington Public Schools’ Staff Member of the Year for 2025. I have enjoyed watching my own children learn and grow as students and individuals in the FPS school community," said Hacker.

Hacker grew up in the Western Massachusetts area and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1997 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

She spent her early postgraduate years working in western Massachusetts as an assistant teacher and DCF social worker.

Upon relocating to Connecticut in 2002, she worked at Cigna Behavioral Health and also in the staffing department at The Hartford Insurance Co.

She and her husband have resided and raised their two daughters in Farmington over the past 22 years.

Hacker began her career in Farmington Public Schools in 2016 at East Farms as a paraprofessional, and over the last seven years at Noah Wallace, as a literacy tutor for grades K-4.

For more information on Hacker's biography and the 2024-25 "Staff Member of the Year" award, click on this link.