On Thursday, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the return of the “Difference Makers” for the third straight school year by revealing the first honorees of the 2026-2027 school year.
Difference Maker award recipients are staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our classrooms. GPS honors one from each school and one from each district department that are considered “unsung heroes.”
“In the past two years, we have honored 683 exceptional employees for making a difference in the lives of our students, their co-workers, and the entire Greenwich community,” Dr. Jones said in a release. “We invite everyone to rejoice at what our incredible staff has to offer with this program, now in its third year.”
The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker” award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day. Honorees are officially nominated by principals and district senior leadership.
You are encouraged to review the full history of the Difference Maker employee recognition program on the Greenwich Public School’s website.
2026-2027 Difference Makers: October 2026
Shirin Assarpour, third grade teacher, International School at Dundee
Grayson Avesato, building substitute, Glenville School
Chris DiAngelo, tech support manager, Central Office
Dominick Franco, construction foreman, Central Office
(nominated by Old Greenwich School)
Alyssa Gaiser, social worker, Greenwich High School
Victor Garcia, IT support technician, Eastern Middle School
Emily Lanzarone, building substitute, Parkway School
Madison Liberatore, Special Ed. teacher, North Street School
Leslie Livingston-Alfano, media assistant, Cos Cob School
Dawn McAuley, literacy specialist, Julian Curtiss School
Claribel Michilena, assistant principal, Julian Curtiss School
Ganesh Nair, senior network specialist, Central Office
Madilyn Perez, Special Ed. teacher, North Mianus School
Benjamin Quesnel, art teacher, Greenwich High School
Johnny Quezada, Special Ed. teacher, New Lebanon School
Kim Robinson, administrative assistant, Central Middle School
Catherine (Cate) Shores, art teacher, Hamilton Avenue School
Lynn Sterner, literacy specialist, Riverside School
Jonathan Supranowitz, Director of Communication, Central Office
Diana Willie, social studies teacher, Western Middle School