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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Greenwich Post
The awards, which have been handed out annually since 1985, were given to six public school teachers who were credited for their dedication to their students and to the district. Board of Education Chairwoman Nancy Weissler said the district was indebted to the teachers and thanked them for every day they spent with students. Julian Curtiss School first grade teacher Christine Kovac was among those honored and she stood on stage as a graduate of Greenwich Public Schools. Her fellow teacher, Cindy Santucci, called her someone who “refreshes, renews and inspires the human spirit.” “As a teacher, I want my students to develop their own voice and to be treated fairly,” Ms. Kovac said. “They need to be challenged academically and encouraged never to give up. I want them to learn they’re valued. I encourage them to be active participants in their lives rather than passive observers.” Greenwich High School Latin teacher Camille Fusco admitted she was dumbstruck by the honor, something she didn’t think her students would believe was possible. Susan Fitzpatrick nominated her for the award and said Ms. Fusco could teach Latin to anyone and always “bring out the best in young adults.” “I have the most incredible children and I owe so much to the wonderful Latin language,” Ms. Fusco said. GHS guidance counselor Arianne Haley-Banez said she was “incredibly honored” by the award because guidance counselors were not necessarily always recognized as teachers. “Teaching occurs across the spectrum of a school building, not just in the classroom,” Ms. Haley-Banez said. An emotional Annette Goard nominated Ms. Haley-Banez and recalled all she had done to help her family. When Ms. Goard’s husband was diagnosed with cancer and she felt overwhelmed by the college application process for her son, Ms. Haley-Banez stepped in and made sure everything happened successfully without the family having to worry about a single form. “Without her I would have been lost,” Ms. Goard said. Karen Anderson, a band and music teacher at Western Middle School, found herself in the unusual position of helping provide the entertainment at the ceremony she was honored at when she conducted the school’s jazz band through two numbers. The woman, who has been affectionately nicknamed “Mrs. Banderson” by her students, then admitted while receiving her award that she would have been more comfortable playing a trumpet solo for the crowd than giving a speech. “When my students were informed that I would be receiving this award, one said to me ‘Mrs. Anderson, you deserve it. You’ve been here so long,’” Ms. Anderson said with a laugh as she recalled her 22 years at the school. She said she never could have done it without her students. Rita Clair, a special education teacher at Eastern Middle School, also made sure to thank her students. “The real award should go to the students I teach every day,” Ms. Clair said. “They have taught me as much, if not more, than I have taught them. My students enter the building each day knowing they will be asked to perform tasks that are often difficult for them yet they still work hard and find ways to succeed. They teach me how to persevere in the face of challenge.” Beth Auch, a parent who nominated Ms. Clair, said the teacher influenced students and colleagues with her hard work and innovative methods to help struggling readers. “As one teacher so aptly stated, ‘How many people’s work has the power to affect the lives of hundreds?’” Ms. Auch said. “That is precisely the legacy of Rita Clair.” As a teacher at GHS’s alternative ARCH School, award recipient Anthony Mullen came from a position as captain and homicide investigator in the New York Police Department. He has taught science, essay writing, business math, U.S. history, forensics, crime and justice, home improvement and physical education, creating his own curriculum each time. “I didn’t know what I was getting into six years ago, but I quickly fell in love with the place,” Mr. Mullen said. © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
