Special Education Supervisor Hired

By Larissa Lytwyn

Janet Calabro, a former administrator for the Connecticut Center for Child Development in Milford, was appointed special education supervisor by the Board of Education during its first meeting of the new year January 6.

“I am very pleased to have her aboard,” said Pupil Personnel Services Director Michael Regan, PhD.

One of Ms Calabro’s primary responsibilities will be continuing the district’s effort to draw currently out-placed students back to Newtown Public Schools,

Vice Chair Lisa Schwartz lauded Ms Calabro’s energy while board member Tom Gissen described being “impressed” by her extensive resume.

After acquiring a bachelor of science degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Ms Calabro pursued a master of arts degree in special education and counseling from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford before most recently attaining a sixth year certificate of advanced study in educational leadership and certification from Fairfield University.

She served as an itinerant learning disabilities high school instructor from 1985 to 1989 before teaching at Wendell Cross School in Waterbury through the mid-90s, serving both primary and K–5 levels.

In addition, Ms Calabro, a member of the national Learning Disabilities Association, served on the Waterbury school board from 1985 to 1998. She also served as Waterbury’s city consultant for students with autism and other health impairments, working with students from preschool to grade 12.

She received Teacher of the Year honors for the city of Waterbury during the 1993–94 school year.

She thanked the board for her appointment. “I am eager to get started,” she said.

Ms Calabro will begin her new position next month.