Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG) Names Macdonough School’s John Ferrero the 2017 ‘Educator of the Year’

(Westport, CT): 5/4/2017 – Middletown (CT) Macdonough School STEM teacher, John Ferrero has been named the Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG) 2017 Educator of the Year award. Ferrero will be honored at an awards ceremony during CAG’s Annual Members Dinner at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, on May 16, 2017.

CAG’s annual Educator of the Year award recognizes a teacher, superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or other administrator who has gone above and beyond in the lives of gifted children. The awardee is someone who has been unusually helpful, innovative, or supportive of gifted children, someone who has made a positive difference in the lives of gifted children in CT. Steve Woznicki, principal of Macdonough School, remarked “All of John's colleagues at Macdonough School know how much John does for our students and for our school at large. I can assure you, you made the right choice for your honoree.”

Ferrero was nominated by Meagan Susi of Middletown. In nominating Ferrero, Susi says the title ‘STEM Superhero’ is a more fitting title for Ferrero than STEM teacher. In her nomination, Susi writes “Each year John gathers an eclectic group of gifted students from throughout Middletown and provides them with rich, dynamic programming that is as diverse as their interests and needs. He ignites their passions and fuels their drive for learning. Under his direction students utilize technology to code, create games, publish newspapers, print 3D models, and demonstrate their learning. A gifted child’s brain does not stop when the day’s lessons are done, nor does John’s cape come off when the bell rings. John facilitates the district’s STEM afterschool clubs including Odyssey of the Mind, Scratch, Lego League, and Maker Camp, runs the STEM Summer Camp, and chairs Minds in Motion Middletown. For Middletown’s gifted students, John is more than a teacher, he’s a crusader, rescuing them from a traditional curriculum and providing them with opportunities to thrive.”

Interested persons may register for the dinner and awards ceremony by visiting www.ctgifted.org.

About the Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG)

The Connecticut Association for the Gifted, founded in 1969, is the pre-eminent parent, teacher, and school resource and legislative advocate for Connecticut’s gifted and talented students. CAG provides parents with information and resources to benefit their talented children, educators with high quality professional development, and Boards of Education with the tools to support talented students. Our highly acclaimed Minds in Motion programs engage hundreds of Connecticut students in high interest, interactive courses which stimulate learning. CAG meets with legislators to advocate for legislation to provide high ability students with challenging curriculum. Visit www.ctgifted.org, for more information.