Milford Honors Top Teacher, Para And Parent For 2022

MILFORD, CT — The Milford School System this week honored its top teacher of the year, its para-educator of the year and the public schools' parent of the year.

Marisa Perce Monday was honored as the district’s Teacher of the Year for 2022.

Perce, a fourth-grade teacher at Calf Pen Elementary, said she believes her work as a classroom leader is to build relationships and to create a safe, non-judgemental learning space for all.

“When positive relationships are created, students are more motivated to work and push themselves to their full potential. My students are comfortable and confident in taking risks in their learning together — amongst themselves and with me. It is a wonderful environment,” she said.

She often found collaborating and planning with fellow staff members about academics or social-emotional learning in the classroom.

Meanwhile, Marty Breen — a 19-year veteran — is the 2022 Para-Educator of the Year

“Working in today’s environment requires flexibility and creativity,” Breen said.

Breen starts every day at Live Oaks Elementary, as she supports the educational team by providing much-needed engagement and reinforcement with students at the school.

“I think the most important part of working with children is to make sure each one knows his or her value. Relationships are crucial and it is important for students to know there is always someone cheering them on,” Breen said.

Breen found the time spent with students during the COVID-19 pandemic to be a brand new experience — not only for her students but for herself.

And, she found while she was facing the same challenges as her students as they all moved to a remote-learning environment in the early days of the pandemic, she could oftentimes be their biggest cheerleader.

“The shift to remote online learning was brand-new to me and I really had to step outside my comfort zone. Not only did this bring me confidence, but I was able to provide a new outlook on how to continue helping students, even if we weren’t physically together. It may have been difficult, but we all came out of it stronger.”

Also honored was Bridget Krauss, who was named 2022 Milford Parent of the Year

Not only does she serve as a high school math teacher in Bridgeport, she is often seen as a whirlwind of activity after school as the mom to her children.

She shares her talents with students of all ages, most notably in her work with the Parent Teacher Association.
Krauss has been a participant and volunteer at countless PTA activities over the years and has served as an active board member. She currently is the president of the Meadowside Elementary PTA.

The women were to be formally recognized at the district’s annual End of the Year Celebration, along with all of the individual school winners in all of these categories, on Monday at the Parsons Auditorium.