Waterbury Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year

Waterbury, CT- Waterbury Public Schools is delighted to announce that Mr. Jason Martinez has been named the district’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Martinez, who has been with the district for 17 years, is a physical education teacher at North End Middle School. He is beloved by his school community, which described him as someone who “shares his positivity and enthusiasm for learning with his students every day.” Mr. Martinez embraced this extraordinarily challenging year, designing a 10-week virtual fitness program for his students.

Mr. Martinez is a lifelong resident of the city and is deeply committed to his community, spearheading the city’s Kids Marathon Program, which has grown to be the largest outreach program in the city, for several years. He also served as head football coach at Crosby High School.

“We are very excited that Mr. Martinez has been selected as this year’s Waterbury Teacher of the Year,” said Superintendent Verna D. Ruffin. “He is devoted to his students and exemplifies the best of the teaching profession, inspiring his colleagues through the years and particularly this year.”

Ms. Gramatto (Grace) Tzepos Morikis, a 4th grade teacher at Bunker Hill Elementary School, Ms. Krislyn Petti, an English Language Arts teacher at Wilby High School, Ms. Stefanie Ann-Teta Porcaro, an art teacher at Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School and Ms. Mary-Ann Sagnella, PhD, a World Language teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, were also selected among several applicants as Waterbury Teacher of the Year finalists. Mr. Martinez will be considered for the title of Connecticut Teacher of the Year, which is traditionally announced in the fall.

The district extends its deepest congratulations to all of this year’s honorees. The teachers, selected by their school, have been recognized for their incredible contributions to the field of education. Each one has inspired a love for learning in their students and has supported their colleagues through an extraordinarily challenging year.

Teachers of the Year

Elementary
Bucks Hill Preschool- Amy Murphy
Bucks Hill Elementary School– Daniel Marcano, Jr.
Bunker Hill Elementary School- Grammato (Grace) Tzepos Morikis
B.W. Tinker Elementary School- June M. Chiarillo
Carrington Elementary School- Elvira Barbosa
Driggs Elementary School- Theresa Owens
F.J. Kingsbury Elementary School- Sandra VanAmburg
Frank G. Regan Elementary School- Alana DeFazio
Gilmartin Elementary School- Nirmala Amrit Vowe
Hopeville Elementary School- Cara Martini Munro
H.S. Chase Elementary School- Darlene Lerz
John Duggan Elementary School- Karen Gaudiosi
Jonathan E. Reed Elementary School- Marie SunnyRose Shampang
Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School- Erin Fogarty
M.M. Generali Elementary School- Karen Lowe
Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School- Stefanie Ann-Teta Porcaro
Sprague Elementary School- Heather Stasaitis
Walsh Elementary School- Kenneth Yaffe
Washington Elementary School- Joanne Alonzo
Wendell L. Cross Elementary School- Michelle Quintana
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School- Katy Torres

Secondary
Crosby High School- Marie M. Calma
Enlightenment School- Anthony R. Varrone
John F. Kennedy High School- Mary-Ann Sagnella, PhD
North End Middle School- Jason Martinez
State Street Program- Alexa Bandurski
Wallace Middle School- Raymond James Irrera
Waterbury Arts Magnet School- Justin Amenta
Waterbury Career Academy High School- Richard Pastore
West Side Middle School- Matthew LaMontagne
Wilby High School- Krislyn Petti