Beloved New Canaan Kindergarten Teacher Mourned By Community

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan Public Schools and other members of the community are mourning the recent passing of Claudia Monaco, a beloved kindergarten teacher at East Elementary School who died last week after a courageous battle with cancer.

In an email sent to families Friday, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi said the district was informed of Monaco's death late Thursday night and noted it was a difficult day for the school community.

According to Luizzi, Monaco was a part of the school district for many years as a proud student and New Canaan High School alumna, volunteer, intern, student teacher and, ultimately, a kindergarten teacher at East School for the past decade.

"Claudia shared her love and good nature with everyone around her, and her strength has been an inspiration to us all," Luizzi said. "Her warmth, positivity and smile will always be fondly remembered, especially by her students, their families and her many colleagues and friends."

Luizzi said the district would do everything it can to support the school community during this time, and noted support was available for students, teachers, staff and parents.

"Our New Canaan school community is a strong and loving one," Luizzi said, "and I hope you'll join me in finding strength in the knowledge that we will be together in sympathy and support for Ms. Monaco's family and for each other."

Prior to the start of their meeting Monday night, the New Canaan Board of Education observed a moment of silence in Monaco's honor, referring to her as a "beloved New Canaan Public Schools teacher, community member, friend, mother and more."

Prior to a presentation she gave that night, East School Principal Kris Woleck thanked the board for recognizing Monaco at the top of the meeting.

"Claudia was an extraordinary teacher and colleague to all of us at East," Woleck said, "so just thank you for recognizing that."

Toward the end of the meeting, Luizzi also spoke about Monaco and referred to her as "a truly special person."

Luizzi noted after his father passed away in April 2020, he was quarantining with his mother at her home for two weeks due to having been in his father's hospital room prior to his passing. During that time, Monaco reached out to Luizzi and invited him to join her kindergarten class virtually.

Accepting her offer, Luizzi and his mother watched each kindergartener present a stuffed animal to the class and discuss their favorite animals.

"It just was an absolute joy to be a part of, and probably gave us the first smile we'd had in a long time," Luizzi said. "That's who Claudia was and we're going to miss her...we all feel very fortunate to have had her in our lives when we did."

According to her obituary, Monaco died peacefully at her home Thursday with her loving family by her side.

Born Oct. 14, 1978, in Norwalk, she graduated from New Canaan High in 1997 and went on to receive an undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in education from Sacred Heart University.

A beloved and well-respected community member, Monaco worked as an educator for 20 years, during which she touched and impacted the lives of many children and families.

"Her strength and perseverance will be remembered by all, especially her smile that would brighten up a room," the obituary reads. "Claudia's caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by anyone she met. She had a special gift of not only seeing the good in people but bringing out the best in them as well."

She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Anthony, and her three children, whose ages range from 6 to 11 years old, as well as a number of other family members and loved ones. Services were held Monday morning at Hoyt Funeral Home.

A GoFundMe page created in November to support the Monaco family has raised over $143,000 toward a $150,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon. Those who wish to donate to the campaign can do so here.

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