NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk Education Foundation, in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, will honor teachers and support staff from around the city at the 8th Annual Excellence in Education and Educational Support ceremony next month.
As many as 21 teachers and 21 support staff members—up to two individuals from each city school—will be honored at the event, which is sponsored by Wegmans and will take place Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Shore and Country Club, 220 Gregory Boulevard.
The deadline to order tickets, which cost $50 per person, is this Thursday, April 24.
According to NEF Executive Director Marge Costa, each of Norwalk’s 21 public schools can submit the names of one teacher and one member of their support staff—which includes custodians, paraprofessionals, security guards and cafeteria workers—to be honored.
“A school’s teachers nominate teachers, but anyone in the school can nominate a support person, and then the school governance councils have to make a decision on who is going to be the winner,” Costa explained.
While each school can pick one teacher and one support staff member as honorees each year (for a total of 42), not every school recognizes someone in both categories; last year, for example, 40 individuals were honored.
The honorees, according to a summary of the annual awards on Norwalk Public Schools’ website, “have had a profound impact on shaping the lives of their students and fostering a nurturing learning environment.”
Though honorees are notified in advance, their names won’t be made public until the evening of May 8. “The actual awards ceremony is when everyone finds out who the recipients are,” said Costa, who is looking forward to next month’s event.
“I am so proud we are able to do this every year, and it gives me such a good feeling when I see people being honored and their peers just really appreciating the event,” Costa continued. “We aren’t saying this person is the best teacher [or support staff member] period—we are saying that this year, we are honoring this person, and they are representing this school.”
Costa said that being honored by their peers “is a really feel-good moment” for teachers and support staff, adding, “People are crying during the event when they get their award, and they hear the remarks made about them.”
Costa noted that the way each honoree is introduced will be different this year. Instead of written comments being read about everyone, there will be a 30-second video clip of each honoree’s school principal stating why that person was selected.
Costa called it “a more thoughtful and personal approach to presenting the awards,” adding that, “When an award is given out, anyone affiliated with the school can come up for the photo op and cheer them as they get their plaque.”
Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella and Norwalk Federation of Teachers President Mary Yordon will hand out plaques.
“This annual celebration is a joyful reminder of the dedication, creativity and heart that educators and support staff bring to their work every day,” said Yordon. “I always look forward to this event as a meaningful opportunity to honor those who go above and beyond for the benefit of our students.”
Yordon also expressed gratitude to the NEF for continuing to recognize teachers and support staff on an annual basis.
“On behalf of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, I want to express our deep appreciation to the Norwalk Education Foundation for its continued commitment to recognizing excellence in education,” said Yordon. “The important work we do in our schools is only possible with the support of families and the broader community—and NEF has long been a strong and valued partner.”
Estrella stressed the importance of honoring teachers and staff members for all that they do.
“It is both a profound honor and extremely important to recognize the outstanding dedication and service of our teachers and staff members across the district,” said Estrella. “Their unwavering commitment to excellence and the success of our students sits at the forefront of what makes Norwalk Public Schools a great place to learn. We take great pride in celebrating these remarkable individuals that continue to make a lasting impact every day.”
The ticket price of $50 includes hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar (please bring cash—credit cards won’t be accepted).
For more information or to purchase tickets for the May 8 event, visit norwalkeducation.org.
Leave a Reply
You must Register or Login to post a comment.