Greenwich Superintendent Names October Honorees For 'Difference Makers 2.0'

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones on Wednesday revealed the first honorees of the 2025-2026 school year in the return of the district’s initiative, Difference Makers, with a twist: Difference Makers 2.0.

Difference Maker award recipients are staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of the classroom. This year, the school district be honoring one from each school and one from each district department that are considered "unsung heroes."

"Last year’s Difference Makers program was a massive success," Jones said in a news release. "The inaugural class of Difference Makers are a special group, recognized by their peers and student family members, who are committed to develop students’ academic, personal, and interpersonal capacities. We expect this year’s Difference Makers to be equally as impressive."

The Greenwich Public Schools "Difference Maker 2.0" award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day.

Honorees are officially nominated by principals and district senior leadership.

2025-2026 Difference Makers 2.0, October 2025

• Gloria Amortegui, financial analyst, Central Office
• Jennifer Banks, administrative assistant, Glenville
• Alyssa Baxley, art teacher, North Mianus
• Ferris Buddy, art teacher, IS at Dundee
• Beth Cotter, math interventionist, New Lebanon
• Joanne D'Andrea, sub school nurse, Old Greenwich
• Marty D'Andrea, administrative assistant, Central Office
• Dannielle DiAngelo, administrative assistant, Riverside
• Dale Ginise, head custodian, Central MS
• Jillian Harriman, social studies teacher, Eastern MS
• Rose Hensley, food service worker, Cos Cob
• Karen Martin, network specialist, Central Office
• Colleen Mastroianni, 2nd grade teacher, Julian Curtiss
• Julie Prescott, school nurse, Parkway
• Michael Reid, K-8 math coordinator, Central Office
• Firmino Rodrigues, custodian, Hamilton Avenue
• Rachel Rubin, inclusion specialist, Central Office
• Dana Tulotta, vice principal, Greenwich HS
• Jeanine Urban, administrative assistant, North Street
• Taryn Weiss, administrative assistant, Western MS