The Board of Education honored district staff members awarded the 2015-16 Profiles in Professionalism award at its meeting on Tuesday, May 17.'Above And Beyond'

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said the 2015-16 Profiles of Professionalism awardees are "12 staff members who come to work… work diligently and work hard every day. They do it without fanfare, they do it without celebration, they do it from their heart, [and] they do it from their head."

Dr Erardi said the 2015-16 awardees represent "all that is right" in Newtown Public Schools.

Sandy Elementary School head custodian Kevin Anzellotti, family assistance coordinator Genia Brockett, Middle Gate Elementary School teacher Laura Cooper, human resources coordinator Suzanne D'Eramo, Reed Intermediate School teacher Maura Drabik, Reed paraeducator Lynn Fowler, Newtown Middle School administrative assistant to the principal Terri Greenfield, Head O' Meadow school clerk Laurie Martinelli, Hawley Elementary School teacher Deborah Pond, NMS teacher Donald Ramsey, Special Education Supervisor Sandy Rodriguez, and NHS head custodian Jack Vichiola were each called up to be receive an award.

Dr Erardi or Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jean Evans Davila read nomination letters submitted by fellow district employees.

Mr Anzellotti, nominated by Sandy Hook School Principal Kathy Gombos, was the first honoree called up before the board.

"He exemplifies what it means to be a professional member of a community. He is dependable, he is supportive, and above all he is kind," Dr Erardi read from Dr Gombos's nomination. "He goes above and beyond on a daily basis."

Dr Gombos wrote that her school is fortunate to have Mr Anzellotti "working with us and for us."

NMS PTA Co-President Tracey Jaeger nominated Ms Brockett, who she wrote "came to the district after the tragedy of 12/14 and has been a calming presence in the district."

"[Genia Brockett] is a wealth of knowledge and a well-respected resource in her field," Dr Erardi read from the nomination. "She is compassionate, understanding, a good listener, but most of all she is an advocate and voice for those who need her most."

Ms Cooper was nominated by Middle Gate Principal Chris Geissler who wrote, "Laura is a dedicated and talented teacher leader who makes a meaningful impact within the district, school, and classroom."

Ms Cooper instills healthy habits in her students, and models and promotes life skills each day, Mr Geissler wrote.

"Laura Cooper is the consummate professional. She is a top-notch teacher and a significant contributor to our positive school climate," wrote Mr Geissler. "Her thoughtful and professional manner endears her to her colleagues, students, and families."

Ms D'Eramo was nominated by Head O' Meadow Principal Barbara Gasparine and the district office's Jim Delgado for her professionalism and for being a "hidden treasure" in central office.

"She works long hours because she cares," wrote Ms Gasparine. "That is why I feel she should be recognized for her contributions to our district. In my opinion, Suzanne exemplifies professionalism and more than deserves recognition for her work."

Since Reed Intermediate School opened, Ms Drabik, who began working in the district in the late 1980s, has been at the school. She was nominated for the award by Reed Assistant Principal Jill Beaudry, Sandy Hook School's Beth Murphy, and Reed's Sara Strait. Ms Drabik is retiring at the end of this school year.

Ms Beaudry wrote that the legacy Ms Drabik has built would live on in Reed staff and students.

As Ms Drabik's daughter and a colleague in the district, Ms Murphy wrote, "I may be biased in nominating her for this recognition program - she is my mom after all - but I would be missing an important opportunity if I didn't say how proud I am of her and what a great role model she has been to me, as a teacher and as a person."

Ms Fowler was nominated by Reed Principal Anne Uberti, who wrote Ms Fowler helps a student with significant special needs.

"[Ms Fowler's] kindness and patience is evident in even the smallest interaction with our student," Ms Uberti wrote. "It is not an exaggeration to say that she has single-handedly changed the quality of life at Reed for this youngster."

The nomination letter continued, saying Ms Fowler reminds all staffers at Reed to "make a difference, one student at a time."

Ms Greenfield was nominated by NMS's Nadia Papalia for being an integral part of the NMS community, and for making each day at NMS a success for everyone at the school.

"Terri is compassionate, dedicated, and a gifted listener," the nomination read. "Her interactions with students demonstrates this best. Terri is a master of multitasking, is a calm, welcoming, approachable individual who quickly garners the respect of the students, parents, and staff in our NMS family. With a smile on her face and steadfast confidence in her words and actions, Terri Greenfield is a model of professionalism for us all."

Ms Martinelli was nominated by Head O' Meadow lead teacher Carol Danenberg, who wrote that Ms Martinelli has an uncanny ability to remember names, faces, and the "little details that define us as individuals."

"She holds the perspectives of others in her mind and her heart," Ms Danenberg wrote. "Laurie is an expert gardener; planting seeds, watering, and bringing sunshine as she interacts with students, families, and staff."

Ms Martinelli also has the "inertia to get things done," the nomination read, and she is reliable and dependable.

In his nomination for Ms Pond, Hawley Principal Christopher Moretti wrote, "Deb is the happiest and kindest person that I have ever met… Her outlook on life and approach to her work is simply love everyone, and be joyful, and be positive."

Ms Pond, Mr Moretti wrote, does whatever is necessary to make sure her students feel loved. She calls students when they are sick and attends family outings when invited.

"It is Deb's excellence in teaching, love of children, kind and gentle nature, positive outlook toward everything, collaborative nature, and simply for just being Deb that makes her my nominee for Profiles in Professionalism," wrote Mr Moretti.

Mr Ramsey was nominated by NMS's Rachel Smith. Mr Ramsey will be retiring at the end of this school year, and there were "too many ways" that Mr Ramsey contributes to NMS, Ms Smith wrote, to mention in her nomination.

Both in his course and on a personal level Ms Smith said Mr Ramsey engages his students, and they return after graduating to visit him frequently.

"Don Ramsey is a colleague, a master teacher, and a genuine person who cares about his students. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of a profile in excellence than Mr Ramsey," wrote Ms Smith.

In her nomination of Ms Rodriguez, Maureen Hall wrote that Ms Rodriguez is an advocate for students with special needs in the district.

"I am appreciative that Sandy is a leader in the Pupil Personnel Services Department, and I feel she should be recognized in the district for professionalism," Ms Hall wrote.

Mr Vichiola was nominated by NHS's Nathalie de Brantes, Facilities Director Gino Faiella, NHS Assistant Principal David Roach, and NHS Principal Lorrie Rodrigue. The nominations listed Mr Vichiola as courteous, polite, efficient, consistent, approachable, and a true professional.

"He has contributed so much to the culture and climate of the high school, and this is why he deserves to be recognized through Profiles in Professionalism," wrote Dr Rodrigue.

The names of the 2015-16 Profiles in Professionalism awardees will be added to a plaque. Last year was the first year of the recognition program, and the plaque also includes the names of the 2014-15 awardees. Each honoree was given an apple-shaped award.