Sandy Hook School  Honors

 Retiring Teachers

By Larissa Lytwyn

Sandy Hook Elementary School recently honored its two retiring faculty members — math specialist George Stockwell and special education teacher Deborah Stakel —– with a day all their own. June 21 was declared “George Stockwell and Deborah Stakel Day.”

Both teachers were picked up that morning on a school bus carrying 25 colleagues.

“They were very surprised,” said Assistant Principal Kathy Mazzariello, laughing. “It was really cute!”

As the honorees reached the school’s front entrance, they were met with a reception of more cheering co-workers.

Mr Stockwell has enjoyed a long, distinguished, 31-year career at Sandy Hook school, first as a fourth grade teacher, then as a fifth grade teacher and lead teacher, and eventually as the school’s math specialist.

According to Ms Mazzariello, he has been the past recipient of the Celebration of Excellence for Creativity in the Classroom. Ms Mazzariello was also among the honorees.

He also has served as head of the Technology Committee and was a member of the Sunshine Committee.

“The Sunshine Committee honors colleagues that have reached various milestones in their lives, like weddings or births of children or birthdays,” Ms Mazzariello explained. “The Sunshine Committee organizes parties or gifts that are given, things of that sort.”

The Sunshine Committee, she was quick to note, played an integral role in the creation of “George Stockwell and Deborah Stakel Day.”

Mr Stockwell, who usually serves morning bus duty, was excused from service — instead greeting buses from a lawn chair in the parking lot while another teacher served in his stead.

Ms Stakel, who usually does afternoon bus duty, received the same honorary treatment that afternoon.

“Mr Stockwell and I have worked together for a long time,” said Ms Mazzariello, reflecting on their many memories.

“He was always on hand when there was any kind of technological problem,” she said, smiling. “In fact, at his retirement party, [Principal] Donna Pagé jokingly called him to her office to address a technical problem on the overhead speaker!”

Ms Stakel, meanwhile, has been a very active faculty member at Sandy Hook school.

She was instrumental in her involvement with the community’s PROBE and CAN special education programs, as well as on the Sunshine Committee.

During Ms Stakel and Mr Stockwell’s retirement party, students sang them special “Good Bye” songs.

Lyrics included, “Our Debbie Stakel is the best/It’s not just special ed who will miss you.”

Lyrics for Mr Stockwell’s song referred to his technical prowess: “Oh Georgie, Oh Georgie, We love you so/You Helped With Our Video” and “You made that camera pan and zoom/And you got the kids to look real busy as you toured the room.”

Both Mr Stockwell and Ms Stakel seemed a bit startled by the outpouring of attention.

“The bus ride to school was definitely a surprise,” said Mr Stockwell.

“There have been a lot of good memories here,” said Ms Stakel. “Our bus ride was a new, wonderful one.”

“They will definitely both be missed,” said Ms Mazzariello.