Greenwich Public Schools Difference Makers Announced For November 2024

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced this week that 53 GPS employees have been named "Difference Maker" Award recipients for November as staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of the town's schools.

"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," Jones said in a news release.
"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 GPS 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 the school district, 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.

The November Difference Makers are listed below:

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)

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)

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)

Community Connection Program

• David Pepitone (Special Education teacher)

*Also works at the Central Office; ^ also works at Greenwich HS