MONROE, CT — Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kobza and the Board of Education recognized staff members who are retiring from the school district this year and announced the hiring of 10 new ones during Monday’s board meeting.
“We have 19 retirees this year that have dedicated 441 years of service to Monroe Public Schools, so it’s really a testament to their careers in this district,” Kobza said before introducing those who were present that night.
Kobza said he and Assistant Superintendent Sheila Casinelli recently interviewed a teaching candidate, who asked them what it is about Monroe that makes people talk about it so much. He said Monroe is a special place, where teachers tend to stay for long careers.
The retirees in attendance came up to the front of the room at the Masuk media center to receive plates from the school board, before posing for photos with Kobza and Board of Education Chairman David Ferris.
This year’s retirees include:
Monica R. Brooks, SPED teacher, Fawn Hollow – 2002-2023, 21 years
Laura Chadwick, teacher, Jockey Hollow – 1996-2023, 27 years
Peggyann R. Diaz, tech ed teacher, Masuk – 2003-2023, 20 years
Diane DiCamillo, paraeducator, Masuk – 2001-2023, 22 years
Sheila Diener-Elser, speech teacher, Jockey Hollow – 1997-2023, 26 years
Kathleen Ducharme, librarian, Masuk/STEM – 2001-2023, 22 years
Karen Fontneau, SPED teacher, Fawn Hollow – 2003-2023, 20 years
Diane Garwacki, paraeducator, Jockey Hollow – 1998-2023, 25 years
Kevin Ironside, head custodian, Fawn Hollow – 1996-2023, 27 years
Lisa Klein, paraeducator, Fawn Hollow – 2007-2023, 16 years
Beverly Kovachik, reading teacher, Monroe Elementary – 2005-2023, 18 years
Lori Ostroff, SPED teacher, Monroe Elementary – 1996-2023, 27 years
Dawn Parmalee, teacher, Stepney Elementary – 2003-2023, 20 years
Evelyn Ramos, paraeducator, Jockey Hollow – 1994-2023, 29 years
Lisa Roman, teacher, Jockey Hollow – 1997-2023, 26 years
Anne Ryan, SPED teacher, Stepney Elementary – 2007-2023, 16 years
Peter A. Schmitt, science teacher, Masuk – 1989-2023, 34 years
Christine Schwartz, paraeducator, Fawn Hollow – 2001-2023, 22 years
Karen Smith, paraeducator, Fawn Hollow – 2000-2023, 23 years
The district welcomes new staff members:
Amy Bien, culinary arts, Masuk High School
Ashley Lopez, TESOL, districtwide
Christina Marren, special education teacher, Monroe Elementary
Alison Partridge, kindergarten teacher, Fawn Hollow Elementary
Pamela Pascarella, part-time physical education teacher, Fawn Hollow Elementary
Joseph Philbrick, grade 7 social studies teacher, Jockey Hollow
Jessica Trombetta, kindergarten teacher, Stepney Elementary
Elizabeth Ulreich-Moran, speech language pathologist, Jockey Hollow
Madison Ventresca, grade 4 teacher, Stepney Elementary
Rachel Wiberg, pre-k speech language pathologist, Monroe Elementary
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