Madison's Teacher And Paraeducator Of The Year Revealed

MADISON, CT — Every year, the Madison Public Schools administration selects a teacher and paraeducator of the year. For the 2023-24 school year, the teacher and paraeducator of the year are from Ryerson Elementary School.

This year, the teacher of the year is Rene Chin.

Chin has taught for 13 years and works as a second-grade teacher at Ryerson Elementary School.

“Rene evokes curiosity, confidence and academic drive within every child under her care,” Principal Kelly Spooner said in a statement. To be in Rene’s presence is to understand how talented and remarkable she is as an educator.”

Chin has presented numerous workshops and helped lead the learning on Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month for the entire school. Inside her classroom, her students, “Chin Champions,” learn to persevere through challenges, take risks and fully engage with their learning.

Kathleen Durkin has worked at Ryerson Elementary School as a special assignment paraeducator and, now as a registered behavior technician for the last eight years, has been selected as the paraeducator of the year.

Madison School Officials said Durkin works with some of the most challenging students in the school and works tirelessly to build positive relationships with those students.

School officials said Durkin’s colleagues regularly praise her work ethic and efforts to support and encourage staff members and students.

In addition to her para assignment, Durkin volunteers as a KHR Unified Sports team member and serves on the Sunshine Committee.