New Vernon Teachers Welcomed, Veterans Recognized For Milestones At 2025-26 Convocation

VERNON, CT — At the Monday's convocation marking the start of the 2025-26 school year in Vernon, new teachers were introduced and veteran educators were recognized for milestones.

Jen Roggi of the Vernon Center Middle School mathematics department was named the 2026 teacher of the year.

Said school system officials, "Jen approaches her work with a growth mindset and is always seeking ways to refine her practice for the benefit of her students. Not only is she a tremendous teacher in her classroom, she has truly flourished in her role as our Mathematics Facilitator. Under Jen’s leadership, the department has grown and evolved in a relatively very short period of time. This recognition speaks to her dedication, talent and the passion she has for helping all students grow in math."

Skinner Road School Principal Bryan Kerachsky has been named 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

Kerachsky said there is a healthy competition among Vernon’s five elementary school principals.

"The best part of that healthy competition is that our kids benefit," he said. "We're always pushing each other."

The principals look to each other for inspiration and ideas and learn from each other, he said.

Roggi reminded her colleagues that she is not only a Vernon Public Schools teacher, but a parent too. Her boys went through Center Road School, Vernon Center Middle School and Rockville High School. Their experiences prepared them well for college and adulthood, she said.

"I am incredibly proud of my sons, but, more importantly, I am deeply grateful for their experiences here at Vernon Public Schools," Roggi said. "The impact you had on our lives is immeasurable."

The role teachers and school play in students' lives is lasting, she said.

"Individually, we may only have them for one or two years, but when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, we are playing the long game," Roggi said. "Each and every one of us plays a crucial role in shaping their future."

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary told the staff that being a teacher is a special thing, that not everyone can do it.

"You all have that special fire, that ability to make a difference in the lives of children," he said.

Here is a rundown for the upcoming year:

New Staff

Center Road School

• Elizabeth Brinkley - Grade 1 Teacher
• Danielle Dedeo - Grade 3 Teacher

Lake Street School

• Cheyann Kelley - Reading Interventionist
• Anna Leandri - Special Education
• Meghan McAuliffe - Grade 2 Teacher
• Kate McDermott - Special Education
• Maggie Terban - Special Education

Northeast School

• Stefanie Domin Pre-Kindergarten

Skinner Road School

• Lauren Besthoff - Grade 2 Teacher
• Megan Keleher - Physical Education

Vernon Center Middle School

• Adah Argenta-Gillon - Physical Education
• Kyle Bogucki - Technology Education
• Laura Fiducia - Special Education
• Emma Green - Social Worker

Rockville High School

• Philippe Carson - Special Education
• Catherine Curtin - Science Teacher
• Taylor Kent - School Psychologist
• Drew Nielsen - Special Education
• Stefania Rinaldi - Math Teacher

New Administrator

• Meghann Burr is the new Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning. She has 20 years of teaching and administrative experience with the Enfield Public Schools. Meghan received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut, her Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from the Sacred Heart University, her Master’s degree in English from Western New England and her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Clemson University.
• Brett Distasio is the new Assistant Principal at Vernon Center Middle School. Brett was a Special Education Teacher and Department Head at Rockville High School for the past 5 years, as well as our Varsity Coach for Boys Soccer at the school. He received his Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from the Central CT State University, his Master’s degree in Special Education from Central CT State University, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Nichols College in Business Administration.
• Holly Wrenn is the Interim Principal at Northeast School. Mrs. Wrenn successfully served as the Building Principal of Alcott Elementary School in Wolcott for over 17 years until her retirement. Alcott ES was named a CAS (Connecticut Association of Schools) Outstanding Elementary School of the Year in 2014. In addition, Holly has served twice as an ‘Interim Principal’ in both Regional School District #14 and Vernon PS - she was the interim Principal at Center Road in 2022 and 2018.

25 Years of Service Awards

• Sarah Carini - Reading Interventionist, Center Road School
• Kristen Darch - Special Education, Skinner Road School
• Courtney Dussault - Speech Pathologist, Maple Street School
• Karen Eckblom Reading Interventionist- Skinner Road School
• Charles Martucci - Business Teacher, Rockville HS
• Erin Pelletier - Classroom Teacher Northeast School
• Tatyana Samsonenko Music Teacher Vernon Center MS

30 Years of Service Award

• Andrea Bortolan - Classroom Teacher, Center Road School

Said Macary, "When I look out at the 330 teachers here, the 22 administrators, the 114 paraprofessionals, the other 120 support staff … I see the best and the brightest leading our student and I am thankful for that. The most cherished asset we have is our students. We have those students for 13 years. We've got to make the most out of that. Every day we lose is a day we’re not going to get back. We need to make a difference in the lives of children."