Board of Education (BOE) members celebrated Newtown Public Schools District's 2026 Profiles in Professionalism honorees at their meeting on Tuesday, May 5. The meeting was held in Reed Intermediate School's (RIS) library.

The award is a long-standing district tradition where anyone in town can recognize a colleague, parent, or volunteer who works in the school district. These honorees are celebrated at a meeting every year, where the BOE reads comments about them and their work in the school system.

A total of 15 people were recognized this year with a Profiles in Professionalism award.

Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti opened the meeting, stating, "Tonight is about the faculty, staff, and volunteers who represent the very best of Newtown Public Schools."

She continued, "While we often measure success in years of service, tonight we celebrate the heart behind the work. We are here to recognize the individuals who go above and beyond daily, setting the standard for professional excellence in our schools."

Family, friends, and colleagues alike attended the meeting to show their support, some holding bouquets of flowers or other gifts. So many people were in attendance that there were not enough seats for everyone; the crowd went toward one of the library entrance doors.

"I can't tell you how moved I am to see all your family and friends here tonight," Uberti told the honorees. "We all know to do the work that we do requires going above and beyond ... and oftentimes, that means sacrificing what is happening at home, staying late hours, working on weekends, taking phone calls."

She said they have a lot of people who support them and are grateful for the work that they do. Uberti told the crowd they were not going to clap for any individual, but encouraged them to give a big round of applause to all of the honorees. However, that did not stop everyone from applauding each honoree as they walked up and took their goodie bag.

Uberti and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Frank Purcaro then took turns reading comments about each of the honorees.

Education Excellence And Compassion

The first person recognized was Colleen Carriero, a math intervention teacher at Middle Gate Elementary School. Uberti said Carriero embodies the spirit of education excellence. Not only does she have a remarkable ability to break down complex mathematical concepts and make learning accessible to all students, but she is an extremely humble, caring, and dedicated individual.

District occupational therapist Debra Carty was recognized next. Purcaro said she exemplifies educational excellence through her deep technical expertise in sensory and motor development. Carty directly improves student outcomes by collaborating across disciplines and enhancing communication between staff, ensuring that inclusive learning is a daily reality for all her students.

Uberti said they would like to congratulate the next honoree, Newtown Middle School (NMS) science teacher Judy Catanese, as she is retiring after 25 years at the school. Catanese, affectionately known by students as "Mrs Cat," was a leader of the "7 Orange Team" and consistently prioritized the emotional and physical safety of her students. Uberti said her "booming teacher voice" and color-coded science lessons are matched only by the warmth of her "Breakfast Club," a safe haven that offered acceptance to students who needed it most.

Next was Middle Gate paraeducator Melissa Catalano, who was honored for her dual role as a source of academic support and a vital leader among her peers at Middle Gate Elementary. Purcaro said her dedication to both her students and her colleagues has made her a cornerstone of the Middle Gate family, volunteering as the "paraprofessional speaker" for her building and acting as an essential liaison between staff and administration.

Expertise And Partnerships

After that was Dennis Colclough, director of technology at the district's central office. Uberti said Colclough possesses the rare ability to bridge high-level technical expertise with empathetic, approachable leadership, making the complex world of IT accessible to all. Colclough not only fosters a culture of professional development and creative problem-solving, he also leads with a calm presence that inspires those around him to be their best selves.

NMS PTA President Heymi Colon was honored for "redefining the partnership between families and school leadership," according to Purcaro. He said she is a tireless advocate for educators, spearheading initiatives like the Veterans Day Breakfast and Pep Rally support to ensure staff feel celebrated and recognized. Her crowning achievement is her coordination of the annual Culture Fair, a cornerstone event that honors the rich diversity of the NMS community.

Sandy Hook Elementary School Assistant Principal Laura Esposito was the next honoree. Uberti called Esposito's rise from special education teacher to interim supervisor and now assistant principal a testament to her versatility and seamless professionalism. In each role, she has demonstrated a profound commitment to student achievement, transitioning so smoothly that one would think she has been in the position for years.

Following her was Hawley Elementary School building substitute Dana Grey. Purcaro said Grey is a tremendous asset to Hawley School, where she is recognized for her fearlessness and ability to "pivot with ease" between diverse roles. She is particularly skilled at working with students who face significant behavioral challenges, seeking out constructive feedback to ensure she connects with every learner.

Building Bridges

Next up was Head O'Meadow (HOM) Elementary School building substitute Diane Iorfino. Uberti said that, for over two decades, Iorfino has been the sunshine of HOM. Moving from her role as a dedicated paraeducator to a building substitute, Iorfino remains a fundamental pillar of the school's inclusive climate. Her impact is best seen during the annual "senior walk through," where graduating seniors seek out "Mrs I" for a hug, remembering the kindness she showed them years prior.

NMS school security officer Jim Jensen was honored next. Purcaro said as Jensen prepares for retirement, he leaves NMS as a beloved member of the building's family. While he is a meticulous "resident sleuth" and security professional, Jensen is equally famous for his role in building staff morale. To that end, he established the "Twinkie Tuesday" tradition alongside his partner school security officer to brighten the days of staff and delivery drivers.

RIS school counselor Amy McGoldrick was honored for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the academic and emotional well-being of her students. Uberti said her office is a cornerstone of the school, serving as a "safe and welcoming" sanctuary where students are empowered to navigate social and academic challenges. Students leave McGoldrick’s office feel heard, supported and confident in taking next steps to resolve their problems.

Purcaro said the next honoree, Newtown High School (NHS) FLEX teacher Elie Mouchantat, is a "high school principal's dream." Her ability to connect with struggling learners is legendary; she builds deep, lasting relationships while maintaining the high standards of accountability essential for student growth. Purcaro continued by saying her dedication to NHS is absolute, and she will often stay at the school until midnight to support students at plays, concerts, and sporting events.

Service And Community

Following her was HOM math/science specialist Chrissie Pierce. Uberti called her a transformative force at HOM, where she balances her roles as a math/science specialist and union representative with unparalleled professionalism and respect. Not only is she a key driver of instructional growth, she is a vital team leader who coaches her colleagues with kindness to foster a truly collaborative culture in the building. She also shows her leadership through events such as STEAM Night, the Math Olympics, and kindergarten math camp.

After her was district float nurse Jocelyne Sakr, who Purcaro called an exceptional mentor and clinical asset. As a float nurse, Sakr provides a high standard of care across every building she serves, utilizing her deep clinical knowledge to elevate the assessment skills of the entire nursing team. She combines this expertise with a genuine heart, putting students and families at ease during their most vulnerable moments.

Rounding out this year's honorees was NHS custodian Eric Ventura. With a tenure spanning over 25 years, Ventura is a dedicated steward of the NHS campus, treating the grounds with the same pride and care he would his own home. Uberti called Ventura a "silent leader" who models an extraordinary ethic, loyalty, and heart for service that have made an indelible impact on the school community.

Uberti said they extend their deepest gratitude to these outstanding individuals, who represent "the heartbeat of our district."

She continued, "Their collective service, leadership, and legacy leave an indelible mark on the 2026 academic year, making our schools a better place for every student and staff member."

The meeting was then called into a brief recess, where everyone dispersed and congratulated the honorees. Chartwells also provided desserts such as cookies, brownies, and cannolis, along with drinks such as water and coffee.

Healthy Food Certification

BOE members also unanimously passed two motions for the district's healthy food certification. BOE Chair Alison Plante said these are motions that they make annually.

Each year, they are required to make a motion confirming their district will comply with the Connecticut nutrition standards for the sale of all foods and beverages sold separately from its reimbursable school lunches.

Plante said this means they are opting into limiting sugar, fat, and sodium, eliminating trans fat, and moderating calories, while increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

The first motion states that Newtown Public schools will comply with the Connecticut nutrition standards for the sale of all snacks, beverages, and vending machine items, along with all food items sold in conjunction with fundraising events that occur on school property during school hours.

The second motion states Newtown Public Schools will allow the sale of all non-compliant foods and beverages to all students outside of the regular school day or on the weekends.

"And these are only sales that are in conjunction with school sponsored events, and they must be at the location of the event," Plante explained.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.