PEER Awards
At the opening of school in 1992, Wethersfield Teacher of the Year, Buckley Johnson, challenged all professional staff to support a certified staff recognition program that would identify and recognize outstanding teachers and/or administrators in the district. As a result, the Peer Excellence in Education Recognition Award (PEER) was established.
These awards are presented to an individual (or group of individuals) who, in addition to a daily commitment to excellence, also:
- Facilitates or spearheads work among colleagues or groups of students outside of the classroom
- Clearly exhibits “above and beyond” what is expected while demonstrating outstanding performance in their positions
- Has a “ripple effect” on other professionals in the Wethersfield community.
These nominations must be made by a colleague and are based on what the nominee has accomplished over the past few years. Letters of nomination may be submitted by individuals or groups of individuals and could be a surprise to the nominee.
This year’s Peer Award Committee consisted of the 2008-2009 school-based Teachers of the Year and was chaired by the 2008-2009 district Teacher of the Year.
Nancy Byrne, 5th grade teacher at Highcrest, has been an outstanding and highly dedicated educator for over 24 years, with 20 of those years in Wethersfield. Nancy’s endless energy and eagerness to be an integral part of the Highcrest Community is felt by all! The Highcrest PTO is a very active organization with many after-school, evening, and weekend programs continually running. Nancy is always there, supporting our school community events, including the Pasta Supper, Parent/Staff Basketball and Softball Games, and the Jingle Bell Run, just to name a few.
Nancy started an after-school homework club at Highcrest several years ago that runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, each and every week. She volunteers her time for this club after school, supporting and coaching the myriad of students who attend her club each week. Even though she is a 5th Grade teacher, she has offered this opportunity to 4th and 6th Grade students because she will never turn a student away. On a daily basis, Nancy can be found with approximately 30 students participating in the Homework Club. As parents arrive each day to pick up their children, Nancy talks with the parents, giving encouraging words and advice. Her school day extends far beyond her contracted day.
Last year, Nancy created a “Geography Bee” after-school program for the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade students that were so very well received by all. The students in grades 3 through 6 were able to watch the semi-finals during the school day, while the rest of the competition was held after school so parents and students could attend.
Nancy also stepped forward to help new teachers by modeling lessons and always being available for advice and assistance. She is always ready to help and guide, always working as a team player. Nancy is always so supportive and professional, establishing strong connects with students and parents alike.
Kaitlin Kilray is an Occupational Therapist who has serviced the district’s Preschool Program that is currently at Hanmer, and also serves as the district O.T. expert support person for the primary grades. Kaitlin is responsible for managing the fine motor and sensory needs of many preschool students. She takes it upon herself to write up specific sensory diets for those in need of one and is proactive in disbursing this information to staff and families.
Kaitlin services children in many schools and as such, is involved in many PPTs. She is always conscious of the time required by her individual students and will always make up sessions if she misses a student’s scheduled time due to a PPT in another building. Moreover, Kaitlin communicates regularly with parents to keep them informed of their child’s progress.
In addition to her individual schedule with students, Kaitlin involves all preschoolers in her planning and delivery time by having a weekly O.T. group involving gross motor activities. This is how she works with our Peer Playmates as well as those with special needs to get everyone actively moving and engrossed in many exciting activities. She also supports students with autism by participating in the yearly Sunday walk-a-thon in June for Autism Speaks. Kaitlin knows how to make learning fun for all of her students!
Leslie Poulos, Library Media Specialist at Silas Deane Middle School, is the consummate professional who goes above and beyond to support her colleagues. She proactively attends the content and team meetings in all academic areas so that she can offer support with library, media, and technology materials.
Leslie has updated the library resources at Deane, ordered multi-leveled texts to help differentiate instructional materials and has created engaging lessons to motivate students to read. She organizes author visits and provides research to staff when topics of concern arise. In addition, Leslie compiles websites and other resources from multi-library sources into one user-friendly site for staff. She revamped the summer reading program with diverse levels and high interest novels. She conducts book talks regularly in the cafeteria and works with students to create video book talks.
In addition, Leslie works collaboratively with the Wethersfield Public Library, the elementary library media and technology staff, and the high school English/Reading Department to ensure strong town-wide reading support for Wethersfield students.