Teacher of the Year: Pam Klein

Pam Klein started her teaching career in Hartford, initially at Parkville School and then at Batchelder.  In 2002, she came to Wethersfield as a 4th and 2nd grade teacher at Hanmer until 2006, when she became the 8th grade reading teacher at Silas Deane Middle School. 

Pam earned her undergraduate degree from Boston University in Elementary Education and then went on to earn a Masters degree in Reading Education from UCONN.  She is currently enrolled in the 6th Year Degree program in Curriculum & Instruction at UCONN.

As an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the International Reading Association and the CT Reading Association, Pam has presented numerous times in Wethersfield on Content Reading Strategies, Cornell Notes, Marzano Note Cards, Critical Literacy, Teacher “Tea Time” Book Club and the Empowering Writers Program. 

In addition, she has also presented regularly around the state, including the CT Reading Conference, Nancy Boyle’s CREC Training, and the ASCD Conference with Janet Allen.

Pam says, “We have a responsibility to immerse ourselves in best practice and pull out all that is good and … teach all students to use their minds in their own unique ways to reach success and understanding. 

“This is the challenge.”

Support Person:  Mrs. Caterina Mandile

Cathy Mandile has had a tremendous impact on the Silas Deane Middle School community.  She has been in the role of parent Liaison for two years and in that time she has raised over 40 thousand dollars to support both teachers and students in the school.  Most recently she developed the SDMS float to celebrate the She has applied for and won numerous grants including a 1500.00 grant from SAMS club and is raising funds through the Stop and Shop Bonus Bucks  She knows the pulse of the community, is very organized and has tremendous ideas to support both the school and the community.  The money that she helps to raise aside, Cathy Mandile’s value to the SDMS community is priceless.

Parent:  Mrs. Michele Livingston

Every school would be fortunate to have Michele Livingston as a parent. Michele is responsible for the most important committee of the Parent Action Committee…. Baking and Refreshments.  She does an outstanding job of ensuring that every PAC event has great food.  From “Students of the Trimester Breakfasts” to the staff welcome back breakfast, Michele is that parent who makes sure that every person is fed.  In addition she is one of our “Copy Moms” and supports the staff by making copies for them when there is no time.  Michele has been a wonderful volunteer for us for the past two years.