Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced on Monday that 53 district employees have been named GPS’s “Difference Maker” award recipients for the month of November as staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our schools.
Greenwich High School
Michael Breaux (music teacher)
Karina Fernandez (administrative assistant)
Camille Fusco (Latin teacher)
Michael Galatioto (social studies teacher)
Jennifer Gilleran (assistant dean)
Christopher Jordan (custodian)
Nicole Kumar (Special Education teacher)
Christina Shaw (house administrator)
Maria Sol Yika (Spanish teacher)
Nicole Kumar. Photo: GPS
Community Connection Program
David Pepitone (Special Education teacher)
Central Middle School
Maria Jukic (English teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Jennifer Badillo (social studies teacher)
Madeline Frost (administrative assistant)
Tina Musilli* (psychologist)
Ileana Scerbo (ESOL learning facilitator)
Western Middle School
Jonathan Franco (Special Education teacher)
Ralph Marmor (English teacher)
Philip Tarantino (physical education teacher)
Cos Cob School
Shawn Bennett (third grade teacher)
Kerry Gavin (principal)
Sarah Hyres (Special Education teacher)
Crystal Kitselman (math interventionist)
Christopher Muccio (ALP teacher)
Chris Powers (music teacher)
Sofia Silva (fourth grade teacher)
Kimberly Tartaglia (Special Education teacher)
Grace Woytowicz (cafeteria monitor)
Glenville School
Lisa Gioffre (professional assistant)
Haley Hupal (school nurse)
Hamilton Avenue School
Rebecca Fox (third grade teacher)
Emilia Furano (professional assistant)
Patrizia Iavarone (preschool teacher)
Jennifer LaGreca (Special Education teacher)
Leslie Livingston-Alfano (media assistant)
Jennifer Papp-Medure (literacy specialist)
Dina Rich (Special Education teacher)
Celeste Vigliotti (Special Education teacher)
International School at Dundee
Kristina Shane (kindergarten teacher)
Julian Curtiss School
Elisa Maniscalco (administrative assistant)
New Lebanon School
Margaret Bria (administrative assistant)
Lindsey Eisenstein (assistant principal)
Beth Forger* (preschool teacher)
North Mianus School
Susan Belmonte (media assistant)
Amy Coupe (media specialist)
Jennifer DiCarlo. Photo: GPS
North Street School
Jennifer DiCarlo (kindergarten teacher)
Old Greenwich School
Anne Akyuz (second grade teacher)
Parkway School
David Cheris (assistant principal)
Tuan Nguyen (IT Support Technician)
Riverside School
Rocio Gonzalez Montes^ (professional assistant)
Jessica Punchatz (music teacher)
Central Office
Tara Fogel (science & social studies coordinator)
Aurelio Ortiz (custodian)
Linda Valentine (assistant to the superintendent)
* also works at the Central Office; ^ also works at Greenwich HS
“Every staff member that steps foot into one of Greenwich’s school buildings can make a significant difference in the lives of our students each and every day,” Dr. Jones said. “It is to no one’s surprise that we are receiving such an amazing response to this new district initiative. Family members, coworkers, and students continue to enthusiastically share who are the Difference Makers in their lives.”
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. Each building holds its individual celebrations to honor winners with certificate presentations and other recognitions.
GPS families, students, co-workers, or community members can nominate their difference maker online and is open to all employees of Greenwich Public Schools, full or part time, in good standing. It excludes contractors or employees of other town agencies. Nominators can be staff, families, students, or community members.