Sandy Hook Elementary School paraeducator Dawn Eagleson was recently selected as this year’s Newtown Paraeducator of the Year.

She was recently surprised with the news when she received a phone call from Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti, and school district Director of Human Resources Suzanne D’Eramo, who oversees the Paraprofessional of the Year selection committee.

Eagleson said in a phone interview on July 13 that she was first made aware of her nomination when her supervisor, Sandy Hook School Language Arts Consultant Cynthia McArthur, told her she submitted a nomination letter.

“I was really, really surprised,” Eagleson recalled of the nomination news. Due to abnormal circumstances this year, Eagleson said she was not focused on the idea of awards or celebrations but instead on the “funny year.”

Then when she later received the group call with the news of being named the district’s Paraeducator of the Year, she said, “I was again shocked. I was not expecting it.”

Eagleson said she knows all of the district’s paraeducators do great work.

“It could have gone to anyone, honestly. We have a special group of people,” said Eagleson.

She added that she feels fortunate “to work with such a great staff and the leadership in the school. I think it is a really special place.”

Dr Rodrigue said Eagleson really stood out as dedicated to her job and the families she helps from the nomination letters and references for the award.

In her nomination letter, McArthur wrote, “[Eagleson] goes above and beyond classroom expectations and cares deeply about her students. She loves people, works hard, and lifts the spirits of everyone around her. I can think of no one more deserving of the 2021 Paraeducator of the Year Award than Dawn Eagleson.”

“I’m thrilled about [Eagleson] being selected,” Dr Rodrigue said, “because she is kind, she is someone who cares about kids and her colleagues, and she is someone who really wants to be a part of the fabric of the school and you feel that.”

D’Eramo said Eagleson was “caught completely off guard” by the news of the award and was “rendered speechless.” Eagleson’s humble response when learning about the award, “says it all,” Rodrigue added.

While there would normally be celebrations for the Paraeducator of the Year, Rodrigue said she expects some sort of recognition to happen in the fall.

D’Eramo said Newtown’s Paraeducator of the Year is submitted annually to the state level of the award program to be in the running for the state’s Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award.

“We’re very, very proud of her and the work she has done,” said D’Eramo.

Sandy Hook Principal Kathy Gombos said Eagleson is a valued member of the school community.

“[Eagleson] demonstrates compassion, patience, and a genuine sense of caring,” Gombos wrote in a July 13 e-mail. “She has worked in many classrooms at various grade levels. She understands the value of promoting independence, and works diligently to support students in ways which allow them to reach their full potential in reading. Dawn is a student advocate and a wonderful collaborator with colleagues. She provides great feedback and data to teachers and is always willing to try something new if it may benefit a student. Dawn is eager to grow and learn and, in the process, teaches us all so much about patience, kindness, and care. Dawn is a highly respected and trusted colleague who demonstrates all the qualities of a great team member. All members of the Sandy Hook School community are honored to have Dawn as part of our team.”

Eagleson is already looking forward to the fall, and not because of possible recognition for the award.

“I’m just excited to go back to school, fingers crossed,” Eagleson said. “Sandy Hook is like my second family.”