Hanmer Elementary School
Teacher of the Year
Ms. Lisa Corcoran
After graduating from Central CT State University, Lisa started her teaching career in April 1997 at Beecher Road School in Woodbridge as a long-term substitute but quickly found herself a permanent 1st grade position at Hanmer Elementary School in September of the same year. In the last twelve years at Hanmer, Lisa has distinguished herself as a new teacher mentor and a cooperating teacher.
Lisa earned both her undergraduate degree with a concentration in Spanish, and her Masters in Education from Central CT State University. Additionally, she has a Masters +30 in Elementary Education from the University of New England.
She has presented numerous times to staff members at Hanmer on various topics including persuasive writing, data collection for early intervention, science materials organization, and the Voyages I and II program. She also had her “list book” unit presented at the CT Reading Association, and presented on small group literacy instruction in Hartford, Bloomfield and Glastonbury as part of the Foundations in Literacy Program Grant.
Throughout her everyday work with students, Lisa uses the questions, “What do you notice, what do you think, how can we solve the problem?” as the foundation for all her teaching.
“Our ultimate responsibility, as professional educators,” says Lisa, “is to teach each and every one of our children to leave this world a better place than it was when we entered it. As we all know, our future rests in their small yet very capable hands.”
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Support Staff Pam Santos Pam has worked in the Wethersfield School System for 28 years and for the last four of those, she has worked as a paraprofessional at Hanmer School where she consistently exhibits extraordinary professionalism and unfaltering dedication to our students. Pam goes above and beyond the call of duty by arriving at school early each day , taking a sign language class on her own time to communicate more effectively with students, serving as vice-president of the paraprofessional union and participating in the annual walk to raise awareness and funds for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pam brings a positive attitude, a ready smile to Hanmer School as she works to help students reach their greatest potential. |
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Parent Gail Stewart Gail Stewart can best be described as a devoted parent who is totally committed to whatever is best for Hanmer School. With three children in the Wethersfield school system, this is her 8th year as a Hanmer parent and her second year as a PTO president. In that time, she has worked tirelessly on all sorts of projects including the 6th grade committee (twice), Winter Wonderland, Family Movie Nights, and multiple school beautification projects. Gail is an outstanding volunteer and her contributions to Hanmer School are greatly appreciated. |
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Students Paige Landers Paige is a very active young lady, both in and out of school. She takes her academic responsibilities very seriously and through her active participation, contributes a great deal to her classes. In addition to playing in the band, she is a member of the Town Meeting Committee, and she serves on the Hanmer Safety Patrol. Outside of school, Paige is a member of the Park and Recreation Swim Team and Swim Club as well as being an active member of the Choir and Pilgrim Fellowship youth programs at her church. Her positive attitude is contagious and she is a terrific role model for all of everyone at Hanmer School. |
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William Thomas Hart Thomas is involved in a wide range of activities at Hanmer School. He has taken a leadership role by joining the Town Meeting Committee and the Recycling Club. He also participates in Math Olympiad, plays trumpet in the school band, and he worked as a member of the School Beautification Committee through fourth grade. Thomas serves the wider community as well by participating in the yearly Down Syndrome Awareness Fundraiser, taking part in the Breast Cancer Walk in New Britain and volunteering at the annual Corn Fest. Thomas is an active and valued member of the Hanmer community. |