Naugatuck Teachers Retire with a Wealth of Experience

The Naugatuck Board of Education announced at their June meeting that 29 teachers will retire at the end of the school year. They leave the district with a combined total of 810 years of teaching experience.

The retirees include:

From Andrew Avenue, Patricia Lynn, a kindergarten teacher with 20 years experience and Donna M. Taylor, a first grade teacher with 28 years experience.

From City Hill Middle School, Vincent J. Carrano, a school psychologist with 26 years experience, Anne F. Crotti, a language arts teacher with 6 years experience, Annamarie D. DeMattei, a science teacher with 20 years experience, Paul Hoffman, an applied education teacher with 36 years experience, Doreen Lamanno, a math teacher with 26 years experience, Nicholas Nardello, a social studies teacher with 22 years experience, and Paul D. Padilla, a social studies teacher with 21 years experience.

Also from City Hill, Keith Raczkowski, a social studies teacher with 31 years experience, Linda Salvatore, a social studies teacher with 36 years experience, Margaret D. Serafino, a social studies teacher with 31 years experience and Christine Wesche, a home economics teacher with 32 years experience.

From Cross Street Intermediate School, Deborah Massa, a reading consultant with a record 38 years experience.

From Hillside, Mark Solomito, a grade six teacher with 35 years experience.

From Hop Brook Elementary, Maureen M. Litke, a kindergarten teacher with 37 years experience.

From Maple Hill Elementary, Joan R. Cohen, a special education teacher with 23 years experience, Pamela N. Fickel, a second grade teacher with 35 years experience, Nancy Holbrook, a kindergarten teacher with 23 years experience, Elizabeth Sardis, a grade three teacher with 26 years experience, and Donna Wamser, a grade two teacher with 28 years experience.

From Naugatuck High School, Paula Bonczek, an English teacher with 34 years experience, Mark M. Callahan, a social studies teacher with 29 years experience, Maria S. Dasilva, a social studies teacher with 35 years experience, Michael R. Kirkby, a social studies teacher with 26 years experience, Anthony Memoli, a science teacher with 27 years experience, Kathleen A. Schacht, a special education teacher with 20 years experience, and Charles J. Uszakiewicz, an applied education teacher with 33 years experience.

From Western Elementary School, Lauren Went, a grade two teacher with 26 years experience.

Interim Superintendent James A. Connelly, who spoke at his final Board of Education meeting, thanked all of the retirees for their years of dedicated service to the district. He mentioned that though many teachers retired with less than 35 years, a significant amount of them have taught in other districts or private schools, making the true total number of years served closer to 1200. He mentioned what a loss this was for the district, and that the early retirement incentive was only offered to deal with the economic issues facing the district. He wished them all a very happy retirement.

Remember that some teachers, especially at the elementary level, have taught different grade levels over their careers; this list reflects their most recent assignment. I join Mr. Connelly in wishing every one of these colleagues all the best. I have worked with many of them throughout the years and will miss them terribly. Thank you for all you have done for the students in Naugatuck.