Twelve in Southington Honored for Excellence in Education

Elizabeth “Betty” Lutz came forward as Southington school district administrators read testimonials to her strong leadership, nurturing demeanor and dedication to students and she embraced Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski in a hug.

Lutz, who will retire at the end of the year after serving for years as principal at Kelley Elementary School, received the district’s Profiles in Professionalism award Thursday evening and her husband, Bill Lutz, said he couldn’t be more proud.

“She’s always worked hard,” he said.

A total of 12 recipients were honored on Thursday during a special ceremony in the assembly room at the Southington Municipal Center. Together the group of teachers, volunteers, administrators and staff members total more than 200 years of service for Southington schools.

School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. said the district is blessed with wonderful staff who go above and beyond to help prepare students for the future and make sure that they have the chance to succeed and the annual ceremony is a way to pay tribute to some of the best.

“The great thing about tonight, these recognitions come from their peers and come from within the school communities,” Erardi said. “That’s why this is so meaningful. These twelve truly represent the top of what we have to offer here in Southington.”

At the end of the ceremony, Board of Education Chairman Goralski noted that while each recipient thanked members of the board when receiving the award, they were the ones who deserved thanks and earned the standing ovation that came at the end.

“You are what makes Southington schools great,” he told them. “We often celebrate the kids and their achievements, but none of that would be possible without what you do.”

Check out the complete list of 2013 Profiles in Professionalism honorees:

• Linda Blanchard, Executive Secretary for the Director of Business and Finance Lisa Christensen, Parent Volunteer, Kelly Elementary School
• Teresa Colegrove, Technology Department Secretary
• Alicia DesSureault, Teacher, Southington High School
• Marianne Fish, Teacher, Southington High School
• Irene Langlais, Volunteer, Thalberg Elementary School (Genevieve’s Teaching Garden)
• Elizabeth Lutz, Principal, Kelley Elementary School
• Henry Materek, HVAC Maintenance Technician
• Jennifer Paul, Literacy Specialist, Southington High School
• Rosemary Savoy, Paraprofessional, Flanders Elementary School
• Diane Stolz, School Nurse, Derynoski Elementary School
• Mary Jane Sullivan, Teacher, Strong Elementary School