Waterbury Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year

Naugatuck CT

20 May, 2021

7:08 AM

Description

Waterbury, CT- Waterbury Public Schools is delighted to announce that Mr. Jason Martinez has been named the district's 2021 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Martinez, who has been with the district for 17 years, is a physical education teacher at North End Middle School. He is beloved by his school community, which described him as someone who "shares his positivity and enthusiasm for learning with his students every day." Mr. Martinez embraced this extraordinarily challenging year, designing a 10-week virtual fitness program for his students. Mr. Martinez is a lifelong resident of the city and is deeply committed to his community, spearheading the city's Kids Marathon Program, which has grown to be the largest outreach program in the city, for several years. He also served as head football coach at Crosby High School. "We are very excited that Mr. Martinez has been selected as this year's Waterbury Teacher of the Year," said Superintendent Verna D. Ruffin. "He is devoted to his students and exemplifies the best of the teaching profession, inspiring his colleagues through the years and particularly this year." Ms. Gramatto (Grace) Tzepos Morikis, a 4th grade teacher at Bunker Hill Elementary School, Ms. Krislyn Petti, an English Language Arts teacher at Wilby High School, Ms. Stefanie Ann-Teta Porcaro, an art teacher at Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School and Ms. Mary-Ann Sagnella, PhD, a World Language teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, were also selected among several applicants as Waterbury Teacher of the Year finalists. Mr. Martinez will be considered for the title of Connecticut Teacher of the Year, which is traditionally announced in the fall. The district extends its deepest congratulations to all of this year's honorees. The teachers, selected by their school, have been recognized for their incredible contributions to the field of education. Each one has inspired a love for learning in their students and has supported their colleagues through an extraordinarily challenging year. Teachers of the Year Elementary Bucks Hill Preschool- Amy Murphy Bucks Hill Elementary School– Daniel Marcano, Jr. Bunker Hill Elementary School- Grammato (Grace) Tzepos MorikisB.W. Tinker Elementary School- June M. Chiarillo Carrington Elementary School- Elvira Barbosa Driggs Elementary School- Theresa Owens F.J. Kingsbury Elementary School- Sandra VanAmburg Frank G. Regan Elementary School- Alana DeFazio Gilmartin Elementary School- Nirmala Amrit Vowe Hopeville Elementary School- Cara Martini Munro H.S. Chase Elementary School- Darlene Lerz John Duggan Elementary School- Karen Gaudiosi Jonathan E. Reed Elementary School- Marie SunnyRose Shampang Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School- Erin Fogarty M.M. Generali Elementary School- Karen Lowe Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School- Stefanie Ann-Teta Porcaro Sprague Elementary School- Heather Stasaitis Walsh Elementary School- Kenneth Yaffe Washington Elementary School- Joanne Alonzo Wendell L. Cross Elementary School- Michelle Quintana Woodrow Wilson Elementary School- Katy Torres Secondary Crosby High School- Marie M. Calma Enlightenment School- Anthony R. Varrone John F. Kennedy High School- Mary-Ann Sagnella, PhD North End Middle School- Jason Martinez State Street Program- Alexa Bandurski Wallace Middle School- Raymond James Irrera Waterbury Arts Magnet School- Justin Amenta Waterbury Career Academy High School- Richard Pastore West Side Middle School- Matthew LaMontagne Wilby High School- Krislyn Petti