Inspiration Awards For Excellence In Education

The Bridgeport Public Education Fund and Fairfield County Community Foundation today at the Holiday Inn will present the annual Inspiration Awards to city educators for excellence in education. Anita Gliniecki, president of Housatonic Community College, will receive the Elizabeth M. Pfriem Award in honor of one of the founders of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund, an education support group. Melissa Jenkins, principal of High Horizons Magnet School, will be presented the George Bellinger Leadership Award. A listing of the honored educators follows:

ANITA GLINIECKI

Ms. Anita Gliniecki, President of Housatonic Community College, is a true advocate for education at all levels. Her leadership has produced cutting-edge opportunities for all segments of the Greater Bridgeport community. From credit bearing classes for Bridgeport high school students, to a new Manufacturing Certificate program which sends graduates directly into the workforce, HCC is always the first to step up to offer innovative programs for its students. Ms. Gliniecki has taken on leadership roles with the Bridgeport Higher Education Alliance, the Bridgeport Rotary, as well as for the Bridgeport Public Education Fund.

MELISSA JENKINS

Dr. Melissa Jenkins has served as Principal of High Horizons Magnet School for seven years. Under her leadership, High Horizons has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. She has fostered an environment where all students and staff are expected and encouraged to create higher levels of achievement. She knows and supports the style and strengths of each of her teachers utilizing them to conduct workshops for their peers and to continue their own professional development. Her depth of knowledge as well as her generosity and caring spirit make her an educator who is inspirational as well as admired.

LOIS AGINSKY

Ms. Lois Aginsky, a Special Education Resource Teacher has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for twenty years with her co-teacher Nancy Mulkerin. Working with high school students in both Bassick and Central High Schools, Ms. Aginsky designs individual academic plans for each student based on their language abilities. Her vast knowledge of language learning programs helps her students experience success and academic growth. She is able to help her students use visual supports and graphic organizers giving them tools they can use in their classrooms. Ms. Aginsky was nominated by Jennifer Luckart & Teresa Cherry Cruz who wrote, “As her job responsibilities have evolved and new technology has been introduced into the curriculum, Ms. Aginsky has embraced each new challenge. She makes a difference in the lives of her students each and every day.”

MARLENI BURNS

Ms. Burns, a 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade social studies teacher at Multicultural Magnet School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for over 35 years. Already immersed in the Common Core curriculum standards her students know that “evidence is key” to understanding complicated material. Her use of “study buddies” empowers all her students to learn and comprehend new concepts. In addition to communicating with parents regularly, Ms. Burns uses the PowerSchools data system to provide parents with academic information about their children. Ms. Burns was nominated by Rosemary Bradbury who wrote, “Ms. Burns’s unbridled enthusiasm for Social Studies and her contagious laughter delights everyone in the school. She is the cornerstone of our school community.”

HAHN FIGUEROA

Ms. Figueroa, a 3rd grade teacher at Geraldine Johnson, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for six years. Ms. Figueroa’s classroom has been designed to equip all students with the tools for thinking and living as respectful human beings. Tools for learning and thinking are made available for problem solving along with time for wrestling with hard concepts. Although Ms. Figueroa has students at very different academic levels, each student has proudly demonstrated growth. She is described by her principal as a “warm demander” always challenging her students and producing excellent results. Ms. Figueroa states, “The culture in my classroom demonstrates that I truly care about my students and encourages them to take academic risks knowing that I will always support their effort.”

RYAN HOWARD

Mr. Howard, a fifth grade teacher at Classical Studies Academy, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for four years. The climate in his classroom is one of high expectations, respect and realism in terms of student interests and needs. He clearly reflects what quality teaching is all about. It is apparent that he cares about each student and provides many opportunities for student-led discussions and peer-assisted learning. He is described by his principal as one of those “rare” teachers that his students will remember and treasure forever. Mr. Howard states, “My enthusiasm and passion for education is contagious, and drives me to create an environment that is safe, creative and produces lifelong learners.”

CASI CAGGIANO

Ms. Caggiano, a 4th grade teacher at High Horizons Magnet School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for over five years. A mentor to other teachers, she has outstanding classroom organization and materials dedicated to all the different learning styles of her students. Her most effective method of communicating with her student’s parents is the Friday Journal when each student writes a letter to their parents about the social and academic aspects of the week. She is more than willing to work with parents giving them the resources to help their child succeed. Nominated by Harry Seltzer, he wrote, “She is tenacious in seeking to find the best approaches to supporting the whole child. She leads by example every day.”

RUTH GAIE

Ms. Gaie, a 5th grade teacher at Classical Studies Academy, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for over five years. Her classroom is a perfect example of Project Based learning. Her students work with each other in small groups working on lessons that challenge them and provides rigor. Her high expectations for each student results in academic proficiency. The parents of her students are kept informed through social media, PowerSchools and personal conversations. Parents are always invited to school events and to help with field trips when available. Ms. Gaie was nominated by Ryan Howard and Helen Giles. Mr. Howard wrote, “She is able to build an enthusiasm for learning in her students which renders a positive image of academia for life.”

LAURIE GIFF

Ms. Giff, a First grade teacher at Beardsley School, has been a teacher in the Bridgeport Public Schools for fifteen years. One of her most successful teaching strategies is in introducing new vocabulary asking her students to help define the word through fun definitions and physical movement. Ms. Giff uses iPads as additional teaching tools accessing infinite learning resources. Her classroom is a model for the school wide Positive Behavior Intervention System which Ms. Giff willingly shares and models with all the Beardsley School teachers. Ms. Giff was nominated by Amy Marshall who wrote, “Not only is Laurie a champion for her students, she is always there to help parents and to help all our teachers with grant writing, student issues, or classroom strategies.”

WALTER MAYORGA

Mr. Mayorga, a 6th, 7th, & 8th grade Science Teacher at Multicultural Magnet School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for fifteen years. Even though Mr. Mayorga teaches 150 students each day, his science labs and lessons ensure that students of all academic levels and learning styles comprehend the material. He is in constant contact with parents even printing out PowerSchool reports for those who do not have a home computer. Mr. Mayorga was nominated by Monica Tarnowski and Sandra Sarmiento who wrote, “Mr. Mayorga’s students continue to return to his classroom while in high school thanking him for the rigor he installed in them. He is always willing to work collectivity with his colleagues at Multicultural and throughout the district.”

SHAUN MITCHELL

Mr. Mitchell, an English and African American Literature Teacher at Central High School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for four years. Mr. Mitchell brings an unparalleled level of energy and enthusiasm into his classroom every day. His passion for his students and his subject area is evident in the academic proficiency exhibited by his students. Students are fully engaged whether working alone or collaboratively with each other. Mr. Mitchell was nominated by Patricia Anekwe with a supporting letter from his student David Reyes who wrote, “Not only is Mr. Mitchell a fabulous teacher dedicated to the art of teaching, he has revived the Central Players directing many productions allowing the students to open up and be themselves. He has been a personal mentor to me.”

NANCY MULKERIN

Ms. Mulkerin, a Special Education Resource Teacher has been teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools for twenty years with her co-teacher Lois Aginsky. Working with high school students in both Bassick and Central High Schools, Ms. Mulkerin designs individual academic plans for each student based on their language abilities. Her vast knowledge of language learning programs helps her students experience success and academic growth. She is able to help her students use visual supports and graphic organizers giving them tools they can use in their classrooms. Ms. Mulkerin was nominated by Jennifer Luckart and Teresa Cherry Cruz who wrote, “Ms. Mulkerin teaches from the heart, creating balanced and blended experiences that acknowledge the critical connection between academic, social, and emotional well being for her students.”