Recognizing Groton’s Teachers Of The Year

The Groton Board of Education honored its teachers of the year last week, recognizing talent that has endured during a tumultuous year for the public schools.

Among the teachers recognized was Leslie Forbes, the wife of the late Lt. Thomas Forbes, a 30-year-veteran of the Groton City Police Department who died last June of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A statement read by the school board commended her for her grace and devotion to her students.

 “Leslie Forbes is the model for grace under fire, a perfect candidate to represent the qualities of all Groton’s talented, committed educators,” it read.  “No obstacles have prevented her from keeping faith with her students, their parents, and her admiring colleagues.”

Forbes accepted the award to a standing ovation, then thanked her family, friends and colleagues for their support.

“Your kindness, your support, whether your run with me, or you just pop into my room and say ‘How are you today?’ or you offer a hug, gives me courage. And it made me want to come into school each day,” she said.

The teachers of the year, by school, along with a brief description of each, is below:

Gail Dion, Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School. Dion has taught for 19 years and has been at the magnet school since it opened. She’s taught kindergarten, grades 3 and 4, and has highlighted the use of technology through projects that include Skype. She volunteers at after school and weekend events, and at the Health Safety satellite at Brandord Manor, a federally-subsidized housing apartment complex. She has breakfast or lunch with her students weekly to keep in touch and offer help if they need it.

Shaun Farquhar, Charles Barnum Elementary. Farquhar is the school’s PBIS coach, a program to encourage positive student behavior, as well as the instructional technology coordinator, and member the school’s data team that reviews student assessments. In recognizing her work, the school board read this statement:  “She designs lessons and tasks that are meaningful and motivating to her students, and her students excel academically and socially because of her level of commitment”. 

Joyce Pope, Mary Morrisson Elementary. Pope teaches first grade and has 35 years of teaching experience. She also serves as co-director of the adult education program and has had the role for 11 years. In addition to teaching, she was a school psychologist for 18 years, a Reading Recovery teacher, a kindergarten teacher at Eastern Point Elementary School, an assistant principal at Mary Morrisson Elementary, and a special education teacher at Eastconn. She is also co-chair of the “Mary Morrisson Loves to Read” committee, the school’s instructional technology coordinator and co-chair of the program to encourage positive student behavior.

Mary Beth Franco, S. B. Butler Elementary. Franco has been a special education teacher at S.B. Butler for five years. Before coming to Butler, she taught special education at Pleasant Valley Elementary and has additional experience in New Haven. She works with autistic children at Butler. A statement read by the school board said: “Mary Beth was born with the patience of a saint, the compassion of a nurse and cares tremendously for the children she serves. “

Jennifer Nowak, Pleasant Valley Elementary. Nowak teaches third grade. Her colleagues nominated her “because of the dedication she brings to her students, the collaborative spirit she brings to her work with Pleasant Valley’s teachers, and, most especially, with her grade-level team,” a summary of her work said. The statement read by the school board added, “Jen quickly processes the ‘big picture’ and manages to beat every deadline through her extraordinary organizational skills and her ability to use technology to her advantage.”  

Robert Murphy, Northeast Academy. Murphy introduces and teaches instrumental music at the school. He makes sure that all children, regardless of need, have an instrument to play. A statement read by the school board described his skill as “remarkable” in teaching students music: “Their ability to understand pitch and rhythm, work in ensembles, and then as part of the larger band, is evident in their outstanding performances.  Bob’s students are highly engaged and motivated to learn.”

Kathy Vernet, Claude Chester Elementary. Vernet is a member of the school’s Sunshine Committee and the school team to encourage positive student behavior. The school board’s statement read: “Katy maintains a proactive, fair, and consistent approach and is passionate about building a caring, nurturing environment where all of her students feel welcome. She tirelessly advocates for her students and does ‘whatever it takes’ to meet their diverse needs.”

Catherine Fedeli, West Side Middle School. Fedeli has been at West Side since 1999 working in the IBS special needs program. She has served on committees including the special education improvement plan, as an advisor to the student council, and she co-founded the drama club at the school. Outside school, she volunteers with the Spirit of Broadway Theater, with Artreach, Inc. and with Second Step Players, an organization that provides theater and music experience for adults with psychiatric disabilities.

Leslie Forbes, Cutler Middle School. Forbes taught elementary grades for 22 years at St. Joseph’s, Sacred Heart and Noank School. She moved to Cutler when Groton reorganized its elementary schools. A colleague reflected:  “Her lessons are thoughtful, teach the academics but have an extra element:  they get students to think on a critical level about life and how individuals can have a positive effect on others.”

Carmita Hodge, Fitch Middle School. Hodge has been a special education teacher at Fitch Middle School since 2001, and worked briefly at Claude Chester. She volunteers beyond the school day, helped coordinate the talent show and Fitch Middle School spelling bee, and has worked with programs to support youth in Southeastern Connecticut. Said a school board statement: “She develops a strong rapport, in a short time, with the parents of students with whom she works, including students themselves.”

Nicholas Evento, Fitch High School. Evento has been teaching for almost 35 years. He taught special needs students at the state’s Seaside Regional Center for 11 years, taught students with social and emotional needs at Fitch Middle School for three and a half years, and has taught at Fitch High since 1992. He makes music part of his classroom by bringing his guitar to class and performing for students. He served as class advisor, advisor for the debate team for 12 years and helped with the freshman baseball team.

He has been nominated for Outstanding Educator of the Year at Fitch Middle School and twice at Fitch High School.