The “Difference Maker” recognition is a Greenwich Public Schools initiative to recognize those staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our schools.
The “Difference Maker” award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day.
Now, you can nominate that special GPS difference maker from one of our 15 schools, off-site programs Windrose and Community Connections, or the Central Office, who made a positive difference in the lives of our students, families, and their colleagues.
Simply, fill out this form and provide specific details of the difference making actions of your nominee. Difference Makers will be announced each month during the school year.
Please know that your comments may be shared publicly if your nominee is selected.
This honor is open to all employees of Greenwich Public Schools, full or part time, in good standing, pending a human resources review. It excludes contractors or employees of other town agencies. Nominators can be staff, families, students, or community members.
Difference Maker Archives
- March 2025 Honorees
- February 2025 Honorees
- January 2025 Honorees
- December 2024 Honorees
- November 2024 Honorees
- October 2024 Honorees
March 2025 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Scott Borowka (production technician theater)
Cassandra Echevarria (literacy specialist)
Richard Felten (science teacher)
Michael Ginise (food service worker)
Julia Vyskocil (math teacher/varsity cheer coach)
Windrose
Kenneth Bardelli (English teacher)
Philip Chew (math teacher)
Central Middle School
Jennifer Bresler (science teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Julia Fama (English teacher)
Meghan Moore (school counselor)
Western Middle School
Michele Giorlando DeRosa (English teacher)
Lauren Stabile (science teacher)
Cos Cob School
Diana DiGiovanna (first grade teacher)
Jennifer Donat (literacy specialist)
Kathleen Falla (first grade teacher)
Brianna Wohlrabe (professional assistant)
Kathryn Young (fifth grade teacher)
Lynda Young (school nurse)
Glenville School
Annmarie Gronowski (psychologist)
Tara Harvey (first grade teacher)
Kerri Levine (fifth grade teacher)
Dylan Malave (IT support technician)
Christine Wood (kindergarten teacher)
Hamilton Avenue School
Cherisse Barrett (literacy specialist)
Lindsay Cruickshank (reading interventionist)
Jennifer Preiss (fifth grade teacher)
Danielle Szanto (preschool teacher)
International School at Dundee
Jessica Gentile (school nurse)
Julian Curtiss School
Dawn McAuley (literacy specialist)
Kathryn O'Leary (professional assistant)
New Lebanon School
Kaitlyn Bertone (kindergarten teacher)
Keren Brown (second grade teacher)
Kathryn Frey (second grade teacher)
Lian Lam (Special Education teacher)
Joseph Rizzo (custodian)
North Mianus School
Christine Keen (professional assistant)
Alison Kistler (kindergarten teacher)
Navneet Lamba (professional assistant)
Luz Solano (professional assistant)
Elena Rota@ (professional assistant)
Jason Solis* (professional assistant)
North Street School
Victoria Cappiali (kindergarten teacher)
Patricia Connolly (first grade teacher)
Old Greenwich School
Caitlin Bertram (assistant principal)
April McMurray (food services cook)
Parkway School
Danielle Amatuzzo (psychologist)
Elizabeth Bardelli (first grade teacher)
Richard Catalano (kindergarten teacher)
Tricia Garten (music teacher)
Rebecca Mollica (second grade teacher)
Julie Prescott (school nurse)
John Rogers (custodian)
Karrie Vale (fifth grade teacher)
Riverside School
Kayla Bacco (building substitute)
Fionnuala Browning (media specialist)
Mary Dolan Collette (assistant principal)
Pam Kelly (kindergarten teacher)
Angela Romeo (cook)
Central Office
Jocelyn Bruchman (Special Education teacher)
* also works at Cos Cob School
@ also works at Old Greenwich School
February 2025 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Shirley Barban (chemistry teacher)
Tracey Gorglione (science teacher)
Aaron Hull (social studies teacher)
Regina Miniutti (business teacher)
Courtney Powers (social studies teacher)
Kristina Remy (Special Education teacher)
Katherine Upright (science teacher)
Central Middle School
Nancy Tarantino (physical education teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Kristopher O'Hara (head custodian)
Ashley Shive (math teacher)
Tina Wickstrom (school nurse)
Western Middle School
Tara Flatz (English teacher)
Leann Hinkle (art teacher)
Tyler Mecozzi (science teacher)
Yamuna Ramadas (math teacher)
Joseph Urbano (professional assistant)
Taryn Weiss (administrative assistant)
Cos Cob School
Jasmine Bartlett (professional assistant)
Juana Camargo (administrative assistant)
Nancy Shwartz (media specialist)
Kristen Steczkowski (administrative staff assistant)
Glenville School
Alexa Bartlett (fifth grade teacher)
Sarah Jarombek (Special Education teacher)
Hamilton Avenue School
Anne Collin (music teacher)
Diane C. Fox (principal)
Coren Riccio (third grade teacher)
Annamaria Simonelli (assistant principal)
Kristin Yates (preschool teacher)
International School at Dundee
Landa Brooks (food service worker)
Erlinda Haviland (cook)
Julian Curtiss School
Josephine Amodeo (building substitute)
Eduardo Calderón (principal)
Mahalia Ferguson (professional assistant)
Courtney Harrison (first grade teacher)
Esra Murray (media specialist)
Anna Ripegno (IT support technician)
New Lebanon School
Ana-Maria Fals (third grade teacher)
Erin John (first grade teacher)
North Mianus School
Elaina Chambrello (speech therapist)
Robin Chenot (music teacher)
North Street School
David Bruni (physical education teacher)
Stephanie Nicoletti (first grade teacher)
Sandra Senior (administrative assistant)
Jeanine Urban (administrative assistant)
Old Greenwich School
Lauren Harris (professional assistant)
Megan Johnston (fifth grade teacher)
Emily Naumann (fifth grade teacher)
Bridget Pavarini (professional assistant)
Kimberly Pearson (preschool teacher)
Anna Speight (professional assistant)
Parkway School
Andrea Seward (literacy specialist)
Elizabeth Stunkel (administrative assistant)
Riverside School
Ellen Gramlich (media assistant)
Central Office
Dr. Fabian Agiurgioaei Boie (psychologist)
Roger De Beradinis (inventory control worker)
Dr. Sophia Morales (psychologist evaluation team)
Bonnie O'Regan (ALP facilitator)
Kristen Mulhearn* (social worker)
Kimberly Paladino (K-8 ELA curriculum coordinator)
* also works with the Windrose program
January 2025 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Jordan Bici (Special Education teacher)
Deidre Burke (physical education teacher)
Peter Georgiou (director of athletics)
Arianne Haley (school counselor)
Anthony Morello (head varsity football coach)
Jason Polise (music teacher)
Luke Rosenberg (music teacher)
Central Middle School
Rebecca Lipschutz (music teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Luz Desrouilleres (Spanish teacher)
John Hogan (professional assistant)
John Lodato (science teacher)
Western Middle School
Alisha Barry (math teacher)
Mariana Bellenot (social studies teacher)
Justin Brehm (music teacher)
Matthew Cerruto (assistant principal)
Kara Cochrane (math teacher)
Alexander Hauer (science teacher)
Pia Ledina (library media specialist)
Cody Ludvinsky (Spanish teacher)
Kathryn Onofrio (science teacher)
Michael Robinson (English teacher)
Cos Cob School
Cynthia Woodring (kindergarten teacher)
Glenville School
Cara Vitolo (assistant principal)
Hamilton Avenue School
Nicholas Bria (head custodian)
International School at Dundee
Jill Alander (fifth grade teacher)
William Cameron (custodian)
Susan Coyle (Special Education teacher)
Stephanie Pulitano (third grade teacher)
Julian Curtiss School
Ann Marie Cafone (professional assistant)
Jessica Confalone (professional assistant)
Angie Davis (professional assistant)
Krystina Fasone (professional assistant)
Meredith Gillam (Special Education teacher)
Alsu Khalitova (preschool professional assistant)
Moira Latella (preschool professional assistant)
Julianna Mileto (professional assistant)
Cecelia Pelazza (professional assistant)
Barbara Re (professional assistant)
Michelle Salomon (first grade teacher)
Catherine Stambaugh (preschool professional assistant)
New Lebanon School
Maria Rigueiro (Special Education clerk)
North Mianus School
Lou-Ann Capparelle (professional assistant)
Lisa Giometti (third grade teacher)
Jennifer Green (third grade teacher)
Sarah Harris (kindergarten teacher)
Jonatan Lizzi (head custodian)
Kathleen Ramirez (principal)
Jodie Rucci (literacy specialist)
Andrea Wragg (fifth grade teacher)
North Street School
Denise Casazzone (professional assistant)
Old Greenwich School
Denise Lotko (Special Education teacher)
Janet Saucci (second grade teacher)
Nicole Turpin (IT support technician)
Tiffany Vaccari (second grade teacher)
Parkway School
Michael Gianfransico (Custodian)
Riverside School
Jay D’Andrea (physical education teacher)
Megan D’Andrea (third grade teacher)
Alex Popp (fifth grade teacher)
Central Office
James Antonucci (Prek-12 arts program coordinator)
Shaundale Riley (professional assistant)
Monica Suarez (ELL administrative assistant)
December 2024 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Lucy Arecco (house administrator)
Chantel Carey (professional assistant)
Patricia Chan (Spanish teacher)
Keith Contorno (English teacher)
Piera Cronin (psychologist)
Kara Peters (English teacher)
Eleanor Ritch (English teacher)
Lisa Scarogni (art teacher)
Mary Beth Smith (English teacher)
Windrose
Dr. Garfield Charles (program coordinator)
Central Middle School
Colleen Alfano (school counselor)
John Forlenzo (custodian)
Eastern Middle School
Kevin Crawford (custodian)
Michelle Friedman (social worker)
Julie Wang (math teacher)
Western Middle School
Kimberly Matarese (science teacher)
Amber Pietrafeso (English teacher)
Cos Cob School
Stephen Babyak (fifth grade teacher)
Victoria Bee (kindergarten & Special Education teacher)
Kristy Bennett (kindergarten teacher)
Lauren Bird (assistant principal)
Laurie Brehm (kindergarten teacher)
Kelly Clarke (first grade teacher)
Philip D'Amato (physical education teacher)
Meagan DeBona (music teacher)
Michael Fina (physical education teacher)
Betsy Sahr (ALP teacher)
Glenville School
Andrea Casson (media assistant)
Carolyn Kalinski (ALP teacher)
Tracey Zeranski (cafeteria monitor)
Hamilton Avenue School
Dr. Daniel Hoppe (music teacher)
Emily Khoshaboo (social worker)
Angelina Lucas (school nurse)
International School at Dundee
Lindsey Babyak (Special Education teacher)
Cheryl Clark (media assistant)
Marlene Fernandez (Special Education teacher)
Rosanna Sangermano (third grade teacher)
Alison Tepper (ESOL teacher)
Julian Curtiss School
Ariel Wilshaw (ALP teacher)
New Lebanon School
Colette Kraemer (speech pathologist)
North Mianus School
Megan Collins (Special Education teacher)
North Street School
Jessica Jagde (school psychologist)
Old Greenwich School
Suzanne Gold (art teacher)
Sandra Zuccarello (literacy specialist)
Parkway School
Lea Attanasio (media specialist)
Gail Griffin (fifth grade teacher)
Diana Luzzi (speech pathologist)
Kimberly Rich-Zeale (math interventionist & learning facilitator)
Riverside School
Madelyn Hand (first grade teacher)
Central Office
Danielle Commisso (speech/language pathologist)
Karen Martin (network specialist)
Eugene Matejek (Special Education coordinator)
Kirk Mertz (building maintenance mechanic)
Allison Pugni (PPS Data Specialist)
November 2024 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Michael Breaux (music teacher)
Karina Fernandez (administrative assistant)
Camille Fusco (Latin teacher)
Michael Galatioto (social studies teacher)
Jennifer Gilleran (assistant dean)
Christopher Jordan (custodian)
Nicole Kumar (Special Education teacher)
Christina Shaw (house administrator)
Maria Sol Yika (Spanish teacher)
Community Connection Program
David Pepitone (Special Education teacher)
Central Middle School
Maria Jukic (English teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Jennifer Badillo (social studies teacher)
Madeline Frost (administrative assistant)
Tina Musilli* (psychologist)
Ileana Scerbo (ESOL learning facilitator)
Western Middle School
Jonathan Franco (Special Education teacher)
Ralph Marmor (English teacher)
Philip Tarantino (physical education teacher)
Cos Cob School
Shawn Bennett (third grade teacher)
Kerry Gavin (principal)
Sarah Hyres (Special Education teacher)
Crystal Kitselman (math interventionist)
Christopher Muccio (ALP teacher)
Chris Powers (music teacher)
Sofia Silva (fourth grade teacher)
Kimberly Tartaglia (Special Education teacher)
Grace Woytowicz (cafeteria monitor)
Glenville School
Lisa Gioffre (professional assistant)
Haley Hupal (school nurse)
Hamilton Avenue School
Rebecca Fox (third grade teacher)
Emilia Furano (professional assistant)
Patrizia Iavarone (preschool teacher)
Jen LaGreca (Special Education teacher)
Leslie Livingston-Alfano (media assistant)
Jennifer Papp-Medure (literacy specialist)
Dina Rich (Special Education teacher)
Celeste Vigliotti (Special Education teacher)
International School at Dundee
Kristina Shane (kindergarten teacher)
Julian Curtiss School
Elisa Maniscalco (administrative assistant)
New Lebanon School
Margaret Bria (administrative assistant)
Lindsey Eisenstein (assistant principal)
Beth Forger* (preschool teacher)
North Mianus School
Susan Belmonte (media assistant)
Amy Coupe (media specialist)
North Street School
Jennifer DiCarlo (kindergarten teacher)
Old Greenwich School
Anne Akyuz (second grade teacher)
Parkway School
David Cheris (assistant principal)
Tuan Nguyen (IT Support Technician)
Riverside School
Rocio Gonzalez Montes^ (professional assistant)
Jessica Punchatz (music teacher)
Central Office
Tara Fogel (science & social studies coordinator)
Aurelio Ortiz (custodian)
Linda Valentine (assistant to the superintendent)
* also works at the Central Office; ^ also works at Greenwich HS
October 2024 Honorees
Greenwich High School
Mr. Richard Baxley (science teacher)
Ms. Laura Boyd (assistant dean)
Ms. Elizabeth Cardini (Special Education teacher)
Ms. Sachem Hodgson (school counselor)
Ms. Kimberly Pennings (English teacher)
Mr. Benjamin Quesnel (art teacher)
Ms. Gillian Thompson (Special Education teacher)
Central Middle School
Ms. Ashley Dawson (social worker)
Mr. Christopher Krumeich (professional assistant)
Eastern Middle School
Ms. Sara Fawcett (Special Education teacher)
Ms. Theodora Gittens (administrative assistant)
Western Middle School
Ms. Angela Fitzsimmons (math teacher)
Ms. Johanna Kolar (math teacher)
Cos Cob School
Ms. Meghan Lattimer (fourth grade teacher)
Glenville School
Ms. Alison Cutrone (professional assistant)
Ms. Helena Sturzinger (administrative assistant)
Hamilton Avenue School
Mrs. Catherine Byrne (fifth grade teacher)
Mr. Christopher Eaton (professional assistant)
Mrs. Janette James (second grade teacher)
Mr. Christian Monson (professional assistant)
International School at Dundee
Ms. Pamela Lamanna (professional assistant)
Ms. Emma Shtufaj (first grade teacher)
Julian Curtiss & New Lebanon Schools
Ms. Kathleen Piccoli-Schnefke (literacy specialist)
North Mianus School
Mrs. Debra Perry (administrative assistant)
Ms. Emilia Rivera (ESL teacher)
North Street School
Ms. Jessica Baker (ALP teacher)
Ms. Jessica McEvily (assistant principal)
Ms. Luisa Pellegrino (UL teacher)
Ms. Susan Zerman (ALP teacher)
Old Greenwich School
Ms. Sarah Perez (math interventionist)
Ms. Donna Tigano (professional assistant)
Ms. Kathryn Warzoha (PreK and SpEd teacher)
Ms. Jennifer Webb (fourth grade teacher)
Mr. Parkway School
Mr. Richard Young (head custodian)
Riverside School
Mr. Barry Hoffman (music teacher)
Ms. Jessica Rosa (Special Education teacher)
Central Office
Mr. Jason Kim (academic services manager)