
English: 
Aura Alvarado: Good morning CREC
family and welcome to CREC

English: 
Aura Alvarado: Good morning CREC
family and welcome to CREC

English: 
virtual FallStaff 54. I'm Aura
Alvarado director of
communications and community
relations. Who would have
thought that last year when we
were at the convention center,
we would be here today
virtually. We recognize how hard
this pandemic has been for
everyone. But just as we stand
here together today or watching,
we have overcome so much and we
will continue to do so. And one
of the first ways we'll do that
is by bringing you the very best
FallStaff today to the new
CRECies attending or watching
for the first time, I want to
welcome you to one of the best
places to work, and you'll see
why, I am going to try my very
best and describe what FallStaff
means to us longtime CRECies. As
you watch us celebrate our
nominees and winners for teacher
and para of the year. recognize
our shining stars are longevity
recipients and trying to

English: 
virtual FallStaff 54. I'm Aura
Alvarado director of
communications and community
relations. Who would have
thought that last year when we
were at the convention center,
we would be here today
virtually. We recognize how hard
this pandemic has been for
everyone. But just as we stand
here together today or watching,
we have overcome so much and we
will continue to do so. And one
of the first ways we'll do that
is by bringing you the very best
FallStaff today to the new
CRECies attending or watching
for the first time, I want to
welcome you to one of the best
places to work, and you'll see
why, I am going to try my very
best and describe what FallStaff
means to us longtime CRECies. As
you watch us celebrate our
nominees and winners for teacher
and para of the year. recognize
our shining stars are longevity
recipients and trying to

English: 
surprise our core value winners.
I want you to imagine at
yourself at the convention
center surrounded by 2200 CREC
employees. I know in these times
that might be a scary thought,
but just imagine it for a few
seconds. For us longtime
CRECies, walking into the
convention center was like going
to school for the first day,
some of us would rush in showing
off our CREC School gear design,
hopefully with the branding
guidelines. But we would rush in
try to hold seats for each of
our teams, trying to get in that
photo booth line, or trying to
get our massage chair massages
by Massage Envy. Or you might be
that CRECie that tried to get to
all the vendor tables to try to
get as many of the giveaways as
possible and let your your CREC
counterparts know, hey, go over
there. They're giving out the
stress balls. We all need the
stress balls. Can you picture
it? Well, I for one hope to
experience that again. Not sure

English: 
surprise our core value winners.
I want you to imagine at
yourself at the convention
center surrounded by 2200 CREC
employees. I know in these times
that might be a scary thought,
but just imagine it for a few
seconds. For us longtime
CRECies, walking into the
convention center was like going
to school for the first day,
some of us would rush in showing
off our CREC School gear design,
hopefully with the branding
guidelines. But we would rush in
try to hold seats for each of
our teams, trying to get in that
photo booth line, or trying to
get our massage chair massages
by Massage Envy. Or you might be
that CRECie that tried to get to
all the vendor tables to try to
get as many of the giveaways as
possible and let your your CREC
counterparts know, hey, go over
there. They're giving out the
stress balls. We all need the
stress balls. Can you picture
it? Well, I for one hope to
experience that again. Not sure

English: 
when, but for today, let's know
Forget the impact of that
number. No matter how much
things change no matter of the
uncertain times, from where ever
this new normal takes us,
regardless if we are in the
convention center, or in a
socially distance area, in our
zoom calls with our colleagues
or in an office by yourself,
wearing your mask or your face
shield, regardless, we are still
crack and we will always be best
together. And best is what we
need to give our children and
families who are the at the
center of our mission and our
core values. I want you to sit
back and watch FallStaff 54 to
the very end for a reason,
because I want you to collect
your virtual goodie bag. We
would also love to see any
photos from your set locations
with your new school gear. Or if

English: 
when, but for today, let's know
Forget the impact of that
number. No matter how much
things change no matter of the
uncertain times, from where ever
this new normal takes us,
regardless if we are in the
convention center, or in a
socially distance area, in our
zoom calls with our colleagues
or in an office by yourself,
wearing your mask or your face
shield, regardless, we are still
crack and we will always be best
together. And best is what we
need to give our children and
families who are the at the
center of our mission and our
core values. I want you to sit
back and watch FallStaff 54 to
the very end for a reason,
because I want you to collect
your virtual goodie bag. We
would also love to see any
photos from your set locations
with your new school gear. Or if

English: 
you get to catch the surprise
face The core value winners,
send them to us so we can make
sure we include them in the
employee announcements and on
social media.
Now it is my honor
to start the show by introducing
our national anthem singer, our
very own Kate Howard-Bender from
civic leadership High School.
This recording was previously
done for the civic leadership,
high school graduation. All the
graduations were an amazing
success. And I commend everyone
who had a part in that. Take it
away, Kate.
Kate Howard-Bender: O say can
you see by the dawn's early
light
What so proudly we hailed at the
twighlight's last gleaming
whose broad stripes

English: 
you get to catch the surprise
face The core value winners,
send them to us so we can make
sure we include them in the
employee announcements and on
social media.
Now it is my honor
to start the show by introducing
our national anthem singer, our
very own Kate Howard-Bender from
civic leadership High School.
This recording was previously
done for the civic leadership,
high school graduation. All the
graduations were an amazing
success. And I commend everyone
who had a part in that. Take it
away, Kate.
Kate Howard-Bender: O say can
you see by the dawn's early
light
What so proudly we hailed at the
twighlight's last gleaming
whose broad stripes

English: 
and bright stars through the
perilous fight. O'er the
ramparts we watched, were so
gallantly streaming?
  And the
rocket's red glare, the bombs
bursting in air
  Gave proof
through the night that our flag
was still there

English: 
and bright stars through the
perilous fight. O'er the
ramparts we watched, were so
gallantly streaming?
  And the
rocket's red glare, the bombs
bursting in air
  Gave proof
through the night that our flag
was still there

English: 
O say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave
Greg Florio: Welcome, I'd like
to welcome every one of you to
FallStaff 54 CREC best together
to begin our event. I would like
to welcome to the stage, the
chairman of the CREC counsel
from the Bristol board of
education, Mr. Chris Wilson,
Chris.
Chris Wilson: Good morning
students and educators of the
CREC community. It's my pleasure
as the chairman of the CREC
Council to bring greetings from
the council, all 35 members who
represent our council, welcome
you back to school. You know, as
I sit here and bring you
greetings, I started to imagine

English: 
O say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave
Greg Florio: Welcome, I'd like
to welcome every one of you to
FallStaff 54 CREC best together
to begin our event. I would like
to welcome to the stage, the
chairman of the CREC counsel
from the Bristol board of
education, Mr. Chris Wilson,
Chris.
Chris Wilson: Good morning
students and educators of the
CREC community. It's my pleasure
as the chairman of the CREC
Council to bring greetings from
the council, all 35 members who
represent our council, welcome
you back to school. You know, as
I sit here and bring you
greetings, I started to imagine

English: 
what it was like prior to the
pandemic. If I put my
imagination cap on, I think of
the times we met at the
convention center. And all of
you were streaming in. And
you're coming in with your T
shirts and your signs and your
coffee mugs after a summer off
from school. And I was always
impressed about your energy and
your enthusiasm and your
excitement to get back to work.
Get back to see one another. And
sometimes I, I think of how CREC
is considered one of the top
places to work in the Hartford
capitol region. And probably a
lot of people think about, it's
the collegial environment that
you work in. It's a friendly
place to work. It's a place that
has great lifework balance. But
I think it's more about you
folks out there who gives so
much energy and enthusiasm and

English: 
what it was like prior to the
pandemic. If I put my
imagination cap on, I think of
the times we met at the
convention center. And all of
you were streaming in. And
you're coming in with your T
shirts and your signs and your
coffee mugs after a summer off
from school. And I was always
impressed about your energy and
your enthusiasm and your
excitement to get back to work.
Get back to see one another. And
sometimes I, I think of how CREC
is considered one of the top
places to work in the Hartford
capitol region. And probably a
lot of people think about, it's
the collegial environment that
you work in. It's a friendly
place to work. It's a place that
has great lifework balance. But
I think it's more about you
folks out there who gives so
much energy and enthusiasm and

English: 
commitment To the goals of CREC,
the commitment to help the
students from our 35 different
towns, you bring those students
together into your classrooms
and into your programs from all
different walks of life, and you
meld them into a cohesive
working student body. We're so
proud and pleased that you work
on our behalf. I'm just always
impressed about how you work so
hard on behalf of the 35 towns
and districts.
CREC has had a
very long history. In fact, the
the board of finance Chairman in
my town was one of the founding
people who was involved with
crack and in the 60s, a small
group of people started meeting
and started talking about how we
can collaborate together how we
can work together, especially
for those small towns that
didn't have the resources to do
all the programs they needed for
our students. And that was sort
of the beginning idea that

English: 
commitment To the goals of CREC,
the commitment to help the
students from our 35 different
towns, you bring those students
together into your classrooms
and into your programs from all
different walks of life, and you
meld them into a cohesive
working student body. We're so
proud and pleased that you work
on our behalf. I'm just always
impressed about how you work so
hard on behalf of the 35 towns
and districts.
CREC has had a
very long history. In fact, the
the board of finance Chairman in
my town was one of the founding
people who was involved with
crack and in the 60s, a small
group of people started meeting
and started talking about how we
can collaborate together how we
can work together, especially
for those small towns that
didn't have the resources to do
all the programs they needed for
our students. And that was sort
of the beginning idea that

English: 
journey emanation of what has
become correct today. Now, this
legislature has authorized the
Regional Education Centers to be
in existence in 1966. And here
we are today at CREC. Where we
provide transportation, we
provide special ed services. We
provide other programs that all
the people that follow me today
will talk about. It's been a
great growth, and it couldn't
happen without you is our focal
point.
As I conclude my brief remarks
this morning.
I couldn't help but think that
the theme of today's session
best together exemplifies what
CREC is all about. We all come
from different walks of life,
different stories, and we come

English: 
journey emanation of what has
become correct today. Now, this
legislature has authorized the
Regional Education Centers to be
in existence in 1966. And here
we are today at CREC. Where we
provide transportation, we
provide special ed services. We
provide other programs that all
the people that follow me today
will talk about. It's been a
great growth, and it couldn't
happen without you is our focal
point.
As I conclude my brief remarks
this morning.
I couldn't help but think that
the theme of today's session
best together exemplifies what
CREC is all about. We all come
from different walks of life,
different stories, and we come

English: 
together to work together to
help our students From all the
districts reach their best reach
reach their potential. On behalf
of the Council. I am so pleased
to bring greetings this morning,
and wish you well for the rest
of your session.
Greg Florio: Thank you, Chris.
Thank you for those words. And
thank you for being a champion
for public education in your
community of Bristol, in your
support for our work here at
crack and across the state of
Connecticut. We appreciate
everything that you do for our
children in this state. Thank
you again, Chris Wilson.
Again, I want to welcome
everyone to FallStaff 54. Our
theme this year is best
together. It's a little bit odd
because for the first time in 54
years in the history of this

English: 
together to work together to
help our students From all the
districts reach their best reach
reach their potential. On behalf
of the Council. I am so pleased
to bring greetings this morning,
and wish you well for the rest
of your session.
Greg Florio: Thank you, Chris.
Thank you for those words. And
thank you for being a champion
for public education in your
community of Bristol, in your
support for our work here at
crack and across the state of
Connecticut. We appreciate
everything that you do for our
children in this state. Thank
you again, Chris Wilson.
Again, I want to welcome
everyone to FallStaff 54. Our
theme this year is best
together. It's a little bit odd
because for the first time in 54
years in the history of this

English: 
organization for this event in
person We are not together. I've
talked to some longtime CREC
ease people who have experienced
FallStaff, long before we needed
a convention center, or a
ballpark or the Bushnell to
bring us all together in one
place. They shared memories of
when CREC FallStaff could be
convened in what they described
as maybe a medium sized
conference room. So it's
difficult for me as the leader
of this organization, to stand
here today and share with you
some thoughts, my welcome
thoughts. But know that we're
doing it virtually, that the one
opportunity that we have to be
together we have to forego for
an organization that thrives on

English: 
organization for this event in
person We are not together. I've
talked to some longtime CREC
ease people who have experienced
FallStaff, long before we needed
a convention center, or a
ballpark or the Bushnell to
bring us all together in one
place. They shared memories of
when CREC FallStaff could be
convened in what they described
as maybe a medium sized
conference room. So it's
difficult for me as the leader
of this organization, to stand
here today and share with you
some thoughts, my welcome
thoughts. But know that we're
doing it virtually, that the one
opportunity that we have to be
together we have to forego for
an organization that thrives on

English: 
its relationships, that thrives
on personal connections. This
may be somewhat antithetical.
However, the spirit of CREC
FallStaff has always been very
obvious to me. The purpose of
holding this event every year
has been very evident. It's
important to us as a collective
organization is so obvious. This
year more than ever, when our
relationships have been tested,
our connections have been
challenging to maintain, because
we haven't been able to do it
with our personal touch. It is
this year, when we've lived
through what we have in the past
few months. That we must
reinforce how important we are
best together reinforce how
important our work is how

English: 
its relationships, that thrives
on personal connections. This
may be somewhat antithetical.
However, the spirit of CREC
FallStaff has always been very
obvious to me. The purpose of
holding this event every year
has been very evident. It's
important to us as a collective
organization is so obvious. This
year more than ever, when our
relationships have been tested,
our connections have been
challenging to maintain, because
we haven't been able to do it
with our personal touch. It is
this year, when we've lived
through what we have in the past
few months. That we must
reinforce how important we are
best together reinforce how
important our work is how

English: 
important it is to strive to
make retain those connections to
maintain those relationships,
and remind ourselves how
important we are to one another,
and how important we are to
those we serve. To take some
time to celebrate the incredible
work that we do as an
organization to take a few
moments, to honor those special
individuals who we will single
out at an event like FallStaff,
for their dedication to our
mission of social justice, to
their belief in living our core
values every day. So today, we
celebrate crack. We celebrate
the work that we do every day to
open those doors of opportunity
to the people that we serve. So
thank you for joining us today.

English: 
important it is to strive to
make retain those connections to
maintain those relationships,
and remind ourselves how
important we are to one another,
and how important we are to
those we serve. To take some
time to celebrate the incredible
work that we do as an
organization to take a few
moments, to honor those special
individuals who we will single
out at an event like FallStaff,
for their dedication to our
mission of social justice, to
their belief in living our core
values every day. So today, we
celebrate crack. We celebrate
the work that we do every day to
open those doors of opportunity
to the people that we serve. So
thank you for joining us today.

English: 
I was told to wait a few moments
for the applause to die down.
It's now my pleasure to
introduce Mason Thrall our
Director of Operations, who will
present the award the core value
award for expect excellence.
Mason.
Mason Thrall: Good morning. It
is my honor to present the CREC
core value award for expect
excellence. striving for
excellence is an important part
of professionalism in any job
and it is crucial for all CREC
employees. It involves trying to
quality into everything you do,
and it is this attitude that
separates leaders from others.
Excellence is about having a
positive can do attitude, a
willingness to work hard to
achieve your goals. A pride in
your own work in a desire to do
your best. Excellence,
therefore, is a mindset on

English: 
I was told to wait a few moments
for the applause to die down.
It's now my pleasure to
introduce Mason Thrall our
Director of Operations, who will
present the award the core value
award for expect excellence.
Mason.
Mason Thrall: Good morning. It
is my honor to present the CREC
core value award for expect
excellence. striving for
excellence is an important part
of professionalism in any job
and it is crucial for all CREC
employees. It involves trying to
quality into everything you do,
and it is this attitude that
separates leaders from others.
Excellence is about having a
positive can do attitude, a
willingness to work hard to
achieve your goals. A pride in
your own work in a desire to do
your best. Excellence,
therefore, is a mindset on

English: 
attitude. This year, more than
ever CREC 's operations team and
all of CREC have exhibited
excellence in facing challenges
never before seen. As the
director of the Operations
Division, it is my privilege to
work with so many CREC employees
across the agency who exhibit
excellence. qrx criteria for the
core value expect Excellence
Award is has high expectations
for themselves and others,
demonstrates achievement in
their work shows tremendous work
ethic. And as a consummate role
model. This criteria perfectly
describes our expect excellence
core value winner. He supports
all 17 correct magnet schools
and is committed to knowing the
nuances of each school. As proof
of that commitment. He's able to
become a part of each school's
community. His work supporting
school educators is exceptional,
but it is his work with student
leadership groups that has truly

English: 
attitude. This year, more than
ever CREC 's operations team and
all of CREC have exhibited
excellence in facing challenges
never before seen. As the
director of the Operations
Division, it is my privilege to
work with so many CREC employees
across the agency who exhibit
excellence. qrx criteria for the
core value expect Excellence
Award is has high expectations
for themselves and others,
demonstrates achievement in
their work shows tremendous work
ethic. And as a consummate role
model. This criteria perfectly
describes our expect excellence
core value winner. He supports
all 17 correct magnet schools
and is committed to knowing the
nuances of each school. As proof
of that commitment. He's able to
become a part of each school's
community. His work supporting
school educators is exceptional,
but it is his work with student
leadership groups that has truly

English: 
The greatest impact. He empowers
students to be role models not
only in their schools but in
their communities. His mindset
and attitude make him the
perfect recipient for this
award. Here's how we surprised
our 2020 expect excellence core
value award winner.
Elaina Brachman: So, Dana, um, I
know you and I have a meeting
scheduled this morning. Um, but
before we work on what we need
to work on, we have some
business to deal with. So I'm
going to hand you over to this
fine panel of humans. Okay.
Greg Florio: How you doing,
Dana?
Dana Turnquest: I'm good. How
are you?
Aura Alvarado: Hi, Dana.
Greg Florio: I'm doing great.
You know, we're doing things a
little bit differently this year
than we normally would. But I am
really, really excited and happy

English: 
The greatest impact. He empowers
students to be role models not
only in their schools but in
their communities. His mindset
and attitude make him the
perfect recipient for this
award. Here's how we surprised
our 2020 expect excellence core
value award winner.
Elaina Brachman: So, Dana, um, I
know you and I have a meeting
scheduled this morning. Um, but
before we work on what we need
to work on, we have some
business to deal with. So I'm
going to hand you over to this
fine panel of humans. Okay.
Greg Florio: How you doing,
Dana?
Dana Turnquest: I'm good. How
are you?
Aura Alvarado: Hi, Dana.
Greg Florio: I'm doing great.
You know, we're doing things a
little bit differently this year
than we normally would. But I am
really, really excited and happy

English: 
to join this call and present to
you one of our core value awards
this year in the category of
expect excellence because Dana
you are someone who expects
excellence from the people you
work with. But most importantly,
you raise the bar very high for
yourself. So this is a very well
deserved reward. So Dana, I'm
going to present to you
Dana Turnquest: Can I Hold it?
Greg Florio: CREC Core Value
Award
Dana Turnquest: Thank you.
Greg Florio: For Expect
Excellence. Congratulations.
Dana Turnquest: Wow, thank you.
Thank you. Appreciate that. I
was wonder why Elaina was
cheesin' so hard over there.
Aura Alvarado: Elaina now you
have
to say something.
Elaina Brachman: Dana, it's it's
a privilege to work by your side
and I could not think of anyone
more deserving of this award.
Um, I'm like holding back tears.
I'm just I'm really proud to
have you be able to be
recognized for the fine work

English: 
to join this call and present to
you one of our core value awards
this year in the category of
expect excellence because Dana
you are someone who expects
excellence from the people you
work with. But most importantly,
you raise the bar very high for
yourself. So this is a very well
deserved reward. So Dana, I'm
going to present to you
Dana Turnquest: Can I Hold it?
Greg Florio: CREC Core Value
Award
Dana Turnquest: Thank you.
Greg Florio: For Expect
Excellence. Congratulations.
Dana Turnquest: Wow, thank you.
Thank you. Appreciate that. I
was wonder why Elaina was
cheesin' so hard over there.
Aura Alvarado: Elaina now you
have
to say something.
Elaina Brachman: Dana, it's it's
a privilege to work by your side
and I could not think of anyone
more deserving of this award.
Um, I'm like holding back tears.
I'm just I'm really proud to
have you be able to be
recognized for the fine work

English: 
that you do for all of our kids
across our magnet schools and
student service programs and all
the adults that you support. I
just I do feel it's a great
privilege to work with you and
our CREC community is lucky to
have you. So congratulations.
Mason Thrall: Congratulations,
Dana, you truly deserve it. And
now to present the 2020 Act with
courage core value award. Here's
our new Director of Student
Services. Heather Tartaglia.
Heather Tartaglia: Theodore
Roosevelt once said, courage is
Heather Tartaglia: Theodore
Roosevelt once said, courage is
not having the strength to go
on. It's going on when you don't
have the strength. 2020 has been
a year where this has been so
incredibly true for all of us.
Throughout this organization,
despite being tired and feeling
like we don't have the strength
to go on. We've all continued on
in order to ensure that our
students and families have been
supported, educated and taken

English: 
that you do for all of our kids
across our magnet schools and
student service programs and all
the adults that you support. I
just I do feel it's a great
privilege to work with you and
our CREC community is lucky to
have you. So congratulations.
Mason Thrall: Congratulations,
Dana, you truly deserve it. And
now to present the 2020 Act with
courage core value award. Here's
our new Director of Student
Services. Heather Tartaglia.
Heather Tartaglia: Theodore
Roosevelt once said, courage is
Heather Tartaglia: Theodore
Roosevelt once said, courage is
not having the strength to go
on. It's going on when you don't
have the strength. 2020 has been
a year where this has been so
incredibly true for all of us.
Throughout this organization,
despite being tired and feeling
like we don't have the strength
to go on. We've all continued on
in order to ensure that our
students and families have been
supported, educated and taken

English: 
care of to the greatest extent
possible during this
unprecedented time, we have been
asked embrace and live the core
value of act with courage and
all that we have done. As the
new Director of Student
Services, I am honored and
amazed by the courageous work
that happens every day within
our schools and programs. Here
are some examples of the
courageous work that has
happened over the last several
months, delivering effective
online instruction to students
with some of the most
significant disabilities,
keeping our two group homes
running 24 hours a day, while
keeping the staff and residents
safe in the midst of a pandemic.
engaging our most disengaged
students through online learning
and the use of relationships in
order to ensure we still have
strong connections with students
and their families creatively
replacing school based
vocational experiences with
opportunities for 18 to 21 year
old students within their home
environments, navigating across
state lines in order to provide

English: 
care of to the greatest extent
possible during this
unprecedented time, we have been
asked embrace and live the core
value of act with courage and
all that we have done. As the
new Director of Student
Services, I am honored and
amazed by the courageous work
that happens every day within
our schools and programs. Here
are some examples of the
courageous work that has
happened over the last several
months, delivering effective
online instruction to students
with some of the most
significant disabilities,
keeping our two group homes
running 24 hours a day, while
keeping the staff and residents
safe in the midst of a pandemic.
engaging our most disengaged
students through online learning
and the use of relationships in
order to ensure we still have
strong connections with students
and their families creatively
replacing school based
vocational experiences with
opportunities for 18 to 21 year
old students within their home
environments, navigating across
state lines in order to provide

English: 
teletherapy services to students
who live out of state. Using
expertise to find the most
impactful ways to virtually
conduct Birth to Three set
evaluations deliver high quality
instruction to students who are
deaf or hard of hearing, and
provide all related services
remotely. And last but not
least, running live summer
school programs for students
with behavioral challenges with
great success. Among the
definition of courage is
strength in the face of pain or
grief. Unfortunately, COVID-19
has brought its fair share of
pain or grief to all of us over
the last several months. Our
staff within health services has
proven over and over to be an
invaluable resource since the
beginning of COVID-19. Whether
it was providing support to
staff and families, making
homemade masks to be distributed
when PPE was unavailable in the
state, or creating training
videos to provide needed

English: 
teletherapy services to students
who live out of state. Using
expertise to find the most
impactful ways to virtually
conduct Birth to Three set
evaluations deliver high quality
instruction to students who are
deaf or hard of hearing, and
provide all related services
remotely. And last but not
least, running live summer
school programs for students
with behavioral challenges with
great success. Among the
definition of courage is
strength in the face of pain or
grief. Unfortunately, COVID-19
has brought its fair share of
pain or grief to all of us over
the last several months. Our
staff within health services has
proven over and over to be an
invaluable resource since the
beginning of COVID-19. Whether
it was providing support to
staff and families, making
homemade masks to be distributed
when PPE was unavailable in the
state, or creating training
videos to provide needed

English: 
education across the agency for
a safe return to work, or
meeting with families to provide
them supplies and return
medications, or just lending an
ear and providing guidance to
calm the worry that we're all
facing during this time. Our
staff within health services has
been courageous allies across
the agency. This person has led
health services and one of the
most courageous people I've ever
met. He has been critical to all
of our work over the last
several months. He starts his
day with an update from DPH at
6am in order to have the most up
to date information on what is
happening across the state. He
works tirelessly throughout the
day to advise our nurses,
leadership team, staff and
families on health related
issues. He has spearheaded the
guidance on health and wellness
in our schools and offices in
the face of COVID-19. He
consults on a regular basis with
the state epidemiologists, our
medical advisor and local health
officials to guide us in the

English: 
education across the agency for
a safe return to work, or
meeting with families to provide
them supplies and return
medications, or just lending an
ear and providing guidance to
calm the worry that we're all
facing during this time. Our
staff within health services has
been courageous allies across
the agency. This person has led
health services and one of the
most courageous people I've ever
met. He has been critical to all
of our work over the last
several months. He starts his
day with an update from DPH at
6am in order to have the most up
to date information on what is
happening across the state. He
works tirelessly throughout the
day to advise our nurses,
leadership team, staff and
families on health related
issues. He has spearheaded the
guidance on health and wellness
in our schools and offices in
the face of COVID-19. He
consults on a regular basis with
the state epidemiologists, our
medical advisor and local health
officials to guide us in the

English: 
courageous work we're facing
ahead. He has provided needed
information and guidance
throughout the agency to staff
and families and is always
available to need to anyone who
needs to support. As if that's
not enough when this person is
not working at CREC. He spends
his time working as an EMT, and
has gone down to New York City
in the height of the COVID-19
crisis to provide needed medical
care. On the rare occasion that
he does take a vacation, he
typically spends traveling to an
underserved country with Doctors
Without Borders. He is a
remarkable individual and we're
lucky to have him. It goes
without saying that we as an
agency are better together with
the support of this person and
health services. Check out how
we surprised the 2020 Act with
Courage core value winner.
Greg Florio: As I said this,
this meeting was we have such
critical issues to discuss that
we had to bring Deb back. So you
want to kind of
take the meeting from this
point?
Deb Richards: Sure.

English: 
courageous work we're facing
ahead. He has provided needed
information and guidance
throughout the agency to staff
and families and is always
available to need to anyone who
needs to support. As if that's
not enough when this person is
not working at CREC. He spends
his time working as an EMT, and
has gone down to New York City
in the height of the COVID-19
crisis to provide needed medical
care. On the rare occasion that
he does take a vacation, he
typically spends traveling to an
underserved country with Doctors
Without Borders. He is a
remarkable individual and we're
lucky to have him. It goes
without saying that we as an
agency are better together with
the support of this person and
health services. Check out how
we surprised the 2020 Act with
Courage core value winner.
Greg Florio: As I said this,
this meeting was we have such
critical issues to discuss that
we had to bring Deb back. So you
want to kind of
take the meeting from this
point?
Deb Richards: Sure.

English: 
So anyway, there are some very
few people I would allow to
interrupt my new retirement,
watering my garden first thing
in the morning routine, because
I'm attempting to establish what
I'm supposed to be doing now and
not working. But one of those
people who I have valued most
during my time at CREC was Dave
Cusick. So, probably months and
months ago when we were worried
there might be a pandemic. And
we were talking about closing
school. I remember Tim Sullivan
coming into my office and said,
How long do you think this is
going to go on? Do you think
we'll be back before spring
break? I said, I don't think so.
I think we're coming back after
spring break. And Dave stepped
up to start leading us as he
often does in his charge, and I
reflected on all Dave has had to
offer CREC over the last couple

English: 
So anyway, there are some very
few people I would allow to
interrupt my new retirement,
watering my garden first thing
in the morning routine, because
I'm attempting to establish what
I'm supposed to be doing now and
not working. But one of those
people who I have valued most
during my time at CREC was Dave
Cusick. So, probably months and
months ago when we were worried
there might be a pandemic. And
we were talking about closing
school. I remember Tim Sullivan
coming into my office and said,
How long do you think this is
going to go on? Do you think
we'll be back before spring
break? I said, I don't think so.
I think we're coming back after
spring break. And Dave stepped
up to start leading us as he
often does in his charge, and I
reflected on all Dave has had to
offer CREC over the last couple

English: 
years. And his leadership. And
so I wanted to submit him for a
core value award. And my first
dilemma was I didn't know which
award. I'm like, okay, would it
be this one? Would it be that
one? Would it be that one. But I
eventually settled on the award
that has to do with courage. And
that certainly has played out
over the last five or six
months. So if there's anyone who
has had to have courage during
this entire craziness, Dave has
really led by example. So and
for those of you who don't know,
Dave well, not only in his
leadership at CREC, and trust
me, he has sat in many, many
staff meetings of 60-70 people
on zoom, attempting to quell the
fears of our staff that are
understandable about what we're
doing and making sure that we

English: 
years. And his leadership. And
so I wanted to submit him for a
core value award. And my first
dilemma was I didn't know which
award. I'm like, okay, would it
be this one? Would it be that
one? Would it be that one. But I
eventually settled on the award
that has to do with courage. And
that certainly has played out
over the last five or six
months. So if there's anyone who
has had to have courage during
this entire craziness, Dave has
really led by example. So and
for those of you who don't know,
Dave well, not only in his
leadership at CREC, and trust
me, he has sat in many, many
staff meetings of 60-70 people
on zoom, attempting to quell the
fears of our staff that are
understandable about what we're
doing and making sure that we

English: 
have all Are procedures in
place. But at the beginning of
this pandemic, what people
didn't know is Dave was spending
his evenings and weekends in New
York City as an EMT, in
ambulances. And then when I say
Dave, you know, you really
haven't taken any time off, you
haven't taken any time off. He
decides to go to foreign
countries and assist with
Doctors Without Borders. That's
Dave's idea of taking time off
and getting a vacation. So as we
got through the pandemic, and
then I remember this summer, I
was having a conversation with
Greg and Sandy. If you don't
know we are required to have a
COVID liaison, an official COVID
liaison, who's basically the
person with the target on their
back of anytime somebody needs
to complain or you need to call
someone. So when we were opening
up for our summer school, we
said well, let's have Dave do
it. And then I remember on my
one to one with Greg and Sandy

English: 
have all Are procedures in
place. But at the beginning of
this pandemic, what people
didn't know is Dave was spending
his evenings and weekends in New
York City as an EMT, in
ambulances. And then when I say
Dave, you know, you really
haven't taken any time off, you
haven't taken any time off. He
decides to go to foreign
countries and assist with
Doctors Without Borders. That's
Dave's idea of taking time off
and getting a vacation. So as we
got through the pandemic, and
then I remember this summer, I
was having a conversation with
Greg and Sandy. If you don't
know we are required to have a
COVID liaison, an official COVID
liaison, who's basically the
person with the target on their
back of anytime somebody needs
to complain or you need to call
someone. So when we were opening
up for our summer school, we
said well, let's have Dave do
it. And then I remember on my
one to one with Greg and Sandy

English: 
saying, you know, there is no
way Dave can continue to do this
during the school year, he
manages all the nurses, you
know, he's got a million other
projects. He's got the RESC
Alliance project. He's got CPR
and first aid training. He's got
new nurses academy. And I'm
like, yeah, we're gonna have to
just get somebody else to do it.
And we're brainstorming about
that. And I went back to Dave.
And Dave's like, Are you
kidding? I'm the one who has to
do it, like you are out of your
mind. But needless to say, Dave
volunteered to be our COVID
liaison, which perhaps you're
regretting that at this point,
Dave, but anyway, there's nobody
I could imagine who deserves
this core value award more than
Dave. So Dave, thank you for
everything that you've done, and
I know that you will continue to
do so very well deserved.
Worth coming out of retirement
for!
Greg Florio: Dave, my
responsibility now is to

English: 
saying, you know, there is no
way Dave can continue to do this
during the school year, he
manages all the nurses, you
know, he's got a million other
projects. He's got the RESC
Alliance project. He's got CPR
and first aid training. He's got
new nurses academy. And I'm
like, yeah, we're gonna have to
just get somebody else to do it.
And we're brainstorming about
that. And I went back to Dave.
And Dave's like, Are you
kidding? I'm the one who has to
do it, like you are out of your
mind. But needless to say, Dave
volunteered to be our COVID
liaison, which perhaps you're
regretting that at this point,
Dave, but anyway, there's nobody
I could imagine who deserves
this core value award more than
Dave. So Dave, thank you for
everything that you've done, and
I know that you will continue to
do so very well deserved.
Worth coming out of retirement
for!
Greg Florio: Dave, my
responsibility now is to

English: 
virtually present you with the
core value award for acting with
courage and and I want to just
echo what what Deb said, You
know how challenging the last
few months have been. And
sometimes hearing of, of what
you were doing, not just for us
as an agency, but, you know,
truly being on the front lines
of this battle was nothing short
of inspiring. You know, I was in
awe and not only appreciative of
what you were doing, but admire
what you were doing during this
pandemic. So I have in my hands,
and let's see I would have if I
drop it down to Elsie, down to
Deb, down to Aura. That's the
order on the Zoom. But we will
get this to you in person. This
is well deserved. Thank you for
everything that you do for CREC
and for your community at large.
Congratulations, Dave.

English: 
virtually present you with the
core value award for acting with
courage and and I want to just
echo what what Deb said, You
know how challenging the last
few months have been. And
sometimes hearing of, of what
you were doing, not just for us
as an agency, but, you know,
truly being on the front lines
of this battle was nothing short
of inspiring. You know, I was in
awe and not only appreciative of
what you were doing, but admire
what you were doing during this
pandemic. So I have in my hands,
and let's see I would have if I
drop it down to Elsie, down to
Deb, down to Aura. That's the
order on the Zoom. But we will
get this to you in person. This
is well deserved. Thank you for
everything that you do for CREC
and for your community at large.
Congratulations, Dave.

English: 
Dave Cusick: Thank you. Thank
you so much. I the only thing I
ever won was a frozen turkey
once that was it
I don't know what to say I you
know, this is a it's not a job
to me it's it's a passion and a
calling. And I truly love to
help not just the community but
the community of CREC the staff
and the students to keep you
safe and
to keep you well and healthy and
I don't know, I never thought of
you need an award for that. I
just like to do it. And I really
appreciate that. Thank thank you
so so much and I really accept
it and I you know on behalf of

English: 
Dave Cusick: Thank you. Thank
you so much. I the only thing I
ever won was a frozen turkey
once that was it
I don't know what to say I you
know, this is a it's not a job
to me it's it's a passion and a
calling. And I truly love to
help not just the community but
the community of CREC the staff
and the students to keep you
safe and
to keep you well and healthy and
I don't know, I never thought of
you need an award for that. I
just like to do it. And I really
appreciate that. Thank thank you
so so much and I really accept
it and I you know on behalf of

English: 
all the nurses and Healthcare
workers on CREC that have
stepped up in the last really
since March and have done an
amazing job and really make my
my job easier and make me look
better. And I appreciate them
more than you can imagine. And I
appreciate you guys for doing
this.
Thank you.
Deb Richards: You're welcome
Greg Florio: Congratulations.
Heather Tartaglia: Congratulations,
Dave. And now to present our
demand equity core value award
is Elsie Gonzalez, our Director
of diversity, equity and
inclusion.
Elsie Gonzalez: Hello CRECies.
My name is Elsie Gonzalez. I
joined CREC as your inaugural
director of diversity, equity
and inclusion in March, just as
the state shut down due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. It is no
surprise that we are living in a
time that has spotlighted the
inequities we knew existed for

English: 
all the nurses and Healthcare
workers on CREC that have
stepped up in the last really
since March and have done an
amazing job and really make my
my job easier and make me look
better. And I appreciate them
more than you can imagine. And I
appreciate you guys for doing
this.
Thank you.
Deb Richards: You're welcome
Greg Florio: Congratulations.
Heather Tartaglia: Congratulations,
Dave. And now to present our
demand equity core value award
is Elsie Gonzalez, our Director
of diversity, equity and
inclusion.
Elsie Gonzalez: Hello CRECies.
My name is Elsie Gonzalez. I
joined CREC as your inaugural
director of diversity, equity
and inclusion in March, just as
the state shut down due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. It is no
surprise that we are living in a
time that has spotlighted the
inequities we knew existed for

English: 
underrepresented populations.
And most recently, we have been
reminded of the racism,
oppression and injustices faced
by the black and African
American community. Our hearts
have been heavy, and it has been
very difficult to stay grounded.
In the words of the late John
Lewis during his dress to UConn
law students in 2012. He said,
quote, sometimes, sometimes, I
think in America that we're
losing our way. But we must not
lose that sense of hope and get
lost in a sea of despair. We
must keep the faith, we must
stand up and speak up and,
quote, as members of a social
justice agency, we are compelled
to work together to demand
equity, demanding equity as a
core value invites us to think
about who's trying to get in the
room and can't. When we demand
equity we ensure that each
individual has access and
opportunity to participate

English: 
underrepresented populations.
And most recently, we have been
reminded of the racism,
oppression and injustices faced
by the black and African
American community. Our hearts
have been heavy, and it has been
very difficult to stay grounded.
In the words of the late John
Lewis during his dress to UConn
law students in 2012. He said,
quote, sometimes, sometimes, I
think in America that we're
losing our way. But we must not
lose that sense of hope and get
lost in a sea of despair. We
must keep the faith, we must
stand up and speak up and,
quote, as members of a social
justice agency, we are compelled
to work together to demand
equity, demanding equity as a
core value invites us to think
about who's trying to get in the
room and can't. When we demand
equity we ensure that each
individual has access and
opportunity to participate

English: 
successfully in programs and
services. with ease and
impartiality while identifying
and eliminating the barriers
that prevent full participation
of historically underrepresented
groups. In just four months
since my arrival, I have
witnessed the palpable urgency
that CRECies have to make a
difference, demand equity and
transform this organization. At
EdCamp this year, a teacher in
my session really captured this
essence perfectly. They said it
was like fire in our bellies.
And with this fire, we have
created a guideline to
approaching this pandemic with
an equity lens announced an
official Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion statement hosted
CREC's first agencywide virtual
courageous conversations. We
commemorated a Juneteenth and
committed to establishing
employee network groups. I
believe that together we can
stand firmly against the
behaviors that perpetuate hate

English: 
successfully in programs and
services. with ease and
impartiality while identifying
and eliminating the barriers
that prevent full participation
of historically underrepresented
groups. In just four months
since my arrival, I have
witnessed the palpable urgency
that CRECies have to make a
difference, demand equity and
transform this organization. At
EdCamp this year, a teacher in
my session really captured this
essence perfectly. They said it
was like fire in our bellies.
And with this fire, we have
created a guideline to
approaching this pandemic with
an equity lens announced an
official Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion statement hosted
CREC's first agencywide virtual
courageous conversations. We
commemorated a Juneteenth and
committed to establishing
employee network groups. I
believe that together we can
stand firmly against the
behaviors that perpetuate hate

English: 
and racism, identify the issues
we are facing establish action
steps and create spaces for
belonging and support. It is my
goal that as an agency, we can
hold each other accountable and
focus on broadening our own
cultural awareness and anti
racist practices, create
equitable pathways for employees
and students to thrive and
establish a healthy and
inclusive culture where everyone
feels welcomed and affirmed each
year. CREC presents the demand
equity core value award to
recipients who accept everyone,
behave selflessly, are willing
to fight for equity and our
exemplary role models at our
agency. This year's recipients
were essential during the
COVID-19 shutdown in ensuring
CREC families were fed,
supported and engaged. They
forged through our communities
to be a friendly face, shoulder
to lean on, and with resources

English: 
and racism, identify the issues
we are facing establish action
steps and create spaces for
belonging and support. It is my
goal that as an agency, we can
hold each other accountable and
focus on broadening our own
cultural awareness and anti
racist practices, create
equitable pathways for employees
and students to thrive and
establish a healthy and
inclusive culture where everyone
feels welcomed and affirmed each
year. CREC presents the demand
equity core value award to
recipients who accept everyone,
behave selflessly, are willing
to fight for equity and our
exemplary role models at our
agency. This year's recipients
were essential during the
COVID-19 shutdown in ensuring
CREC families were fed,
supported and engaged. They
forged through our communities
to be a friendly face, shoulder
to lean on, and with resources

English: 
to sustain their physical and
emotional wellbeing. Here's how
we surprised our 2020 demand
equity core value award winners.
Kathy Nazario: But you know that
I wanted to really thank you
guys. I sent an email about the
food distribution and I, I don't
even know how to thank you for
everything that you guys did
during the time that we picked
this up. It started off with
just a couple of families Ana
Grace and Reggio and it turned
out into a community effort
where we were feeding... I mean,
the data just shows that we've
done over so many... Roz, you
probably can give me more
information. We fed how many
schools and students and
families every week?
Roz Pace: So on average, we
probably served about 120
families every Friday
about 300 of them were
adults

English: 
to sustain their physical and
emotional wellbeing. Here's how
we surprised our 2020 demand
equity core value award winners.
Kathy Nazario: But you know that
I wanted to really thank you
guys. I sent an email about the
food distribution and I, I don't
even know how to thank you for
everything that you guys did
during the time that we picked
this up. It started off with
just a couple of families Ana
Grace and Reggio and it turned
out into a community effort
where we were feeding... I mean,
the data just shows that we've
done over so many... Roz, you
probably can give me more
information. We fed how many
schools and students and
families every week?
Roz Pace: So on average, we
probably served about 120
families every Friday
about 300 of them were
adults

English: 
I'm trying to figure it out.
Like 305-320
children.
What happened was the end of the
month, July. larger families
started to come. So we started
to service families with 10
people in the household, eight
people in a household
And the word was getting out
Kathy Nazario: So you guys are
probably wondering why Greg
Florio and Aura are probably
here.
Aura Alvarado: Y'all in trouble.
Trouble, trouble.
I'm going to check
Kathy Nazario: Aura, you guys
you can you can start. I'm
trying to text Rich to see if
he's coming on.
Aura Alvarado: Greg can go
first.
Kathy Nazario: Okay.
Greg Florio: Well, I wanted to
apologize because I know every
Friday I came into the office I
always forgot and parked my car

English: 
I'm trying to figure it out.
Like 305-320
children.
What happened was the end of the
month, July. larger families
started to come. So we started
to service families with 10
people in the household, eight
people in a household
And the word was getting out
Kathy Nazario: So you guys are
probably wondering why Greg
Florio and Aura are probably
here.
Aura Alvarado: Y'all in trouble.
Trouble, trouble.
I'm going to check
Kathy Nazario: Aura, you guys
you can you can start. I'm
trying to text Rich to see if
he's coming on.
Aura Alvarado: Greg can go
first.
Kathy Nazario: Okay.
Greg Florio: Well, I wanted to
apologize because I know every
Friday I came into the office I
always forgot and parked my car

English: 
right in the middle of the
parking lot. Where you needed
the space to distribute the food
and then you had to come and
track me down. So I guess that's
one of the reasons that I'm on
the call. The second reason that
I'm on the call is that, you
know, every year as an
organization we, at FallStaff at
least the last two years, we've
been honoring individuals with
our core value awards. And over
the last few months. The work
that you've done, made it
impossible to say that we have
to limit it to just giving it to
individuals that there was a
group of people over the last
few months that worked really,
really hard to make sure that
families in need were taken care
of by providing them food. And I
know right from March 13 on that

English: 
right in the middle of the
parking lot. Where you needed
the space to distribute the food
and then you had to come and
track me down. So I guess that's
one of the reasons that I'm on
the call. The second reason that
I'm on the call is that, you
know, every year as an
organization we, at FallStaff at
least the last two years, we've
been honoring individuals with
our core value awards. And over
the last few months. The work
that you've done, made it
impossible to say that we have
to limit it to just giving it to
individuals that there was a
group of people over the last
few months that worked really,
really hard to make sure that
families in need were taken care
of by providing them food. And I
know right from March 13 on that

English: 
this group of people have been
working very hard every week. To
make sure that people were being
treated equitably. So it's my
honor, and I'm not sure how to
present this should...we're
calling you the COVID equity
group award for demanding
equity. So again, thank you very
much for everything that you've
done for our families. The last
few months. This award is well
deserved by this group. So
congratulations.
Kathy Nazario: Yes, thank you.
Elsie Gonzalez: Congratulations
to the COVID equity group. And
now to present our 2020 embrace
collaboration award, our new
assistant superintendent of CREC
magnet schools Sasha Douglas.
Sasha Douglas: This year CREC
has been called to embrace

English: 
this group of people have been
working very hard every week. To
make sure that people were being
treated equitably. So it's my
honor, and I'm not sure how to
present this should...we're
calling you the COVID equity
group award for demanding
equity. So again, thank you very
much for everything that you've
done for our families. The last
few months. This award is well
deserved by this group. So
congratulations.
Kathy Nazario: Yes, thank you.
Elsie Gonzalez: Congratulations
to the COVID equity group. And
now to present our 2020 embrace
collaboration award, our new
assistant superintendent of CREC
magnet schools Sasha Douglas.
Sasha Douglas: This year CREC
has been called to embrace

English: 
collaboration in a new way. The
shutdown of schools and
reorganization of how our agency
worked, created a new
opportunity to work together. We
redefined what collaboration
meant, working through zoom and
learning how to teach from home.
We learned new tools for
communication and collaboration,
so that even the least tech
savvy among us are now experts
on zoom. Within our magnet
schools, we worked closely with
families to ensure that they had
access to basic necessities,
such as food and internet
access. In the year ahead, will
be called to continue to embrace
collaboration as we seek to
overcome the structural,
financial and emotional impact
that this time has taken on all
of us. One member of the CREC
family has embraced
collaboration in a new way. Join

English: 
collaboration in a new way. The
shutdown of schools and
reorganization of how our agency
worked, created a new
opportunity to work together. We
redefined what collaboration
meant, working through zoom and
learning how to teach from home.
We learned new tools for
communication and collaboration,
so that even the least tech
savvy among us are now experts
on zoom. Within our magnet
schools, we worked closely with
families to ensure that they had
access to basic necessities,
such as food and internet
access. In the year ahead, will
be called to continue to embrace
collaboration as we seek to
overcome the structural,
financial and emotional impact
that this time has taken on all
of us. One member of the CREC
family has embraced
collaboration in a new way. Join

English: 
me in seeing how we surprised
her with the 2020 Embrace
collaboration award.
Heather Tartaglia: Hi,
Stephanie,
Can you hear us?
Stephanie Hall: I can. I have my
mute, my sound on mute. Hi guys.
Hey,
Kelly Maio: Kim and I had a
really important scheduling
concern that we needed to bring
Dr. Florio and Heather into the
situation.
Heather Tartaglia: And CREC
Communications
Kelly Maio: Oh and
communications. Yes.
Kim Cheever: How are you?
Stephanie Hall: I'm good. How's
it going?
Kim Cheever: Great.
Stephanie Hall: That's good.
Greg Florio: So, I was curious
how the summer programming went
this year in person.
Stephanie Hall: I thought it
went really well. Honestly, I
thought it went. I didn't know
what to fully expect. Like I
think that was the nervousness
of it. Like it could go like

English: 
me in seeing how we surprised
her with the 2020 Embrace
collaboration award.
Heather Tartaglia: Hi,
Stephanie,
Can you hear us?
Stephanie Hall: I can. I have my
mute, my sound on mute. Hi guys.
Hey,
Kelly Maio: Kim and I had a
really important scheduling
concern that we needed to bring
Dr. Florio and Heather into the
situation.
Heather Tartaglia: And CREC
Communications
Kelly Maio: Oh and
communications. Yes.
Kim Cheever: How are you?
Stephanie Hall: I'm good. How's
it going?
Kim Cheever: Great.
Stephanie Hall: That's good.
Greg Florio: So, I was curious
how the summer programming went
this year in person.
Stephanie Hall: I thought it
went really well. Honestly, I
thought it went. I didn't know
what to fully expect. Like I
think that was the nervousness
of it. Like it could go like

English: 
horribly or it could go great or
kind of like right in the
middle, I think it did go really
well. I think the kids came back
in a great space. Like, they
were excited to see us they were
excited to be back. They did
exceptionally, exceptionally
well with the math, much more
than I thought that they would,
um, they were very used to it. I
mean, they needed to get a lot
of education with them about the
importance of it. So I think
that also helped. So that was
definitely a positive.
Greg Florio: So do you think
that the reason that Kim, Kelly,
Heather and CREC communications
came together was for you to
give me that public service
announcement about how well
summer programming went?
Stephanie Hall: Oh, absolutely
not. No.
Greg Florio: So, you know, we're
doing things a little bit
differently this year.
Stephanie Hall: Yes
Greg Florio: And one of the
things that we are doing
differently is FallStaff. One of
the things we're not doing

English: 
horribly or it could go great or
kind of like right in the
middle, I think it did go really
well. I think the kids came back
in a great space. Like, they
were excited to see us they were
excited to be back. They did
exceptionally, exceptionally
well with the math, much more
than I thought that they would,
um, they were very used to it. I
mean, they needed to get a lot
of education with them about the
importance of it. So I think
that also helped. So that was
definitely a positive.
Greg Florio: So do you think
that the reason that Kim, Kelly,
Heather and CREC communications
came together was for you to
give me that public service
announcement about how well
summer programming went?
Stephanie Hall: Oh, absolutely
not. No.
Greg Florio: So, you know, we're
doing things a little bit
differently this year.
Stephanie Hall: Yes
Greg Florio: And one of the
things that we are doing
differently is FallStaff. One of
the things we're not doing

English: 
differently is we're still
presenting employee who have
gone above and beyond and have
been nominated by some of their
peers and colleagues for
recognition we're still going to
do that even at our virtual
FallStaff so I am really really
excited to be able to virtually
present to you CREC's core value
award for embracing
collaboration.
Stephanie Hall: Oh
my goodness oh wow.
Oh wow. Thank you guys.
Heather Tartaglia: And Kim is
sitting outside your house with
the balloons that are
behind her head
Kim Cheever: I think I'm near
your car, but I'm not really
sure.
Stephanie Hall: Oh, my God, I
Wow. I think I I don't know what

English: 
differently is we're still
presenting employee who have
gone above and beyond and have
been nominated by some of their
peers and colleagues for
recognition we're still going to
do that even at our virtual
FallStaff so I am really really
excited to be able to virtually
present to you CREC's core value
award for embracing
collaboration.
Stephanie Hall: Oh
my goodness oh wow.
Oh wow. Thank you guys.
Heather Tartaglia: And Kim is
sitting outside your house with
the balloons that are
behind her head
Kim Cheever: I think I'm near
your car, but I'm not really
sure.
Stephanie Hall: Oh, my God, I
Wow. I think I I don't know what

English: 
to say.
Greg Florio: You're not required
to give a speech. Kim, did you
want to say anything?
Kim Cheever: I am so proud of
you. I am so grateful for who
you are as a person and that we
have you at Polaris and
everything that you bring to the
table and your energy and your
drive and your commitment to the
other staff to parents to
students. And I think that you
know, in terms of collaboration,
you really you you are it and
you spearheaded, and it is, it's
part of your core value as a
person as a social worker as a
CREC employee. And I'm so proud
of you and then you were able to
be recognized for it very well
deserved.
Stephanie Hall: Oh, thank you
guys.
Greg Florio: Congratulations
Stephanie Hall: Wow,
thank you so much.
Heather Tartaglia: Congratulations,
Steph, it's very well deserved.

English: 
to say.
Greg Florio: You're not required
to give a speech. Kim, did you
want to say anything?
Kim Cheever: I am so proud of
you. I am so grateful for who
you are as a person and that we
have you at Polaris and
everything that you bring to the
table and your energy and your
drive and your commitment to the
other staff to parents to
students. And I think that you
know, in terms of collaboration,
you really you you are it and
you spearheaded, and it is, it's
part of your core value as a
person as a social worker as a
CREC employee. And I'm so proud
of you and then you were able to
be recognized for it very well
deserved.
Stephanie Hall: Oh, thank you
guys.
Greg Florio: Congratulations
Stephanie Hall: Wow,
thank you so much.
Heather Tartaglia: Congratulations,
Steph, it's very well deserved.

English: 
Sasha Douglas: I'd like to
congratulate Stephanie Hall from
CREC's Polaris center for
exemplifying the core value of
embrace collaboration. I'd now
like to introduce Carlos
Figueroa CREC's Director of
Human Resources.
Carlos Figueroa: Greetings. My
name is Carlos Figueroa and I'm
the new HR director working
alongside with Regina and the HR
team. This is a time like no
other in our lives. The covid 19
pandemic continues to produce
stress and trauma in our
communities. By now we all have
been impacted by this virus,
which has been devastating for
so many. Despite the challenges
we're all facing every day. This
is also a time that is bringing
out the best in many people. One
of the biggest motivators for
employees is to be held in high
esteem by their peers. When
employees are well recognized.
They feel empowered, motivated

English: 
Sasha Douglas: I'd like to
congratulate Stephanie Hall from
CREC's Polaris center for
exemplifying the core value of
embrace collaboration. I'd now
like to introduce Carlos
Figueroa CREC's Director of
Human Resources.
Carlos Figueroa: Greetings. My
name is Carlos Figueroa and I'm
the new HR director working
alongside with Regina and the HR
team. This is a time like no
other in our lives. The covid 19
pandemic continues to produce
stress and trauma in our
communities. By now we all have
been impacted by this virus,
which has been devastating for
so many. Despite the challenges
we're all facing every day. This
is also a time that is bringing
out the best in many people. One
of the biggest motivators for
employees is to be held in high
esteem by their peers. When
employees are well recognized.
They feel empowered, motivated

English: 
and engaged. It is my privilege
to congratulate the 2019-2020
shining stars whose names are on
the screen, who continue to live
and model the CREC mission,
vision and values every day.

English: 
and engaged. It is my privilege
to congratulate the 2019-2020
shining stars whose names are on
the screen, who continue to live
and model the CREC mission,
vision and values every day.

English: 
There's a popular saying that
states great leaders are born
not made. While the saying may
have a grain of truth in it,
learning to be more effective at
leadership is within grasp of
everyone. employee development
is almost universally recognized
as a strategic tool for an
organization's continuing
growth, productivity and ability
to retain valuable employees,
which is why CREC has invested
in our internal leadership
development program for almost
10 years. As part of our talent
management strategy. Some of the
benefits of the programs are
gaining a greater understanding
of yourself, your leadership
strengths, and areas of
development, while establishing
working relationship with other
CREC staff outside of your

English: 
There's a popular saying that
states great leaders are born
not made. While the saying may
have a grain of truth in it,
learning to be more effective at
leadership is within grasp of
everyone. employee development
is almost universally recognized
as a strategic tool for an
organization's continuing
growth, productivity and ability
to retain valuable employees,
which is why CREC has invested
in our internal leadership
development program for almost
10 years. As part of our talent
management strategy. Some of the
benefits of the programs are
gaining a greater understanding
of yourself, your leadership
strengths, and areas of
development, while establishing
working relationship with other
CREC staff outside of your

English: 
school and division. Names of
our current group are on screen
and we look forward to seeing
what they accomplish in their
final year.
Now to honor the 2020 longevity
recipient, my colleague Regina
Terrell, Director of employee
and labor relations,
Regina Terrell: The definition
of longevity, as in an
occupation is defined as a long
duration or continuance.
Longevity is a key to our
success. A contribution to that
success is due to the talent and
efforts shared with us and those
we serve by our honorees.
Together, we can take pride in

English: 
school and division. Names of
our current group are on screen
and we look forward to seeing
what they accomplish in their
final year.
Now to honor the 2020 longevity
recipient, my colleague Regina
Terrell, Director of employee
and labor relations,
Regina Terrell: The definition
of longevity, as in an
occupation is defined as a long
duration or continuance.
Longevity is a key to our
success. A contribution to that
success is due to the talent and
efforts shared with us and those
we serve by our honorees.
Together, we can take pride in

English: 
the accomplishment and
commitment to excellence of
those who celebrate today for
their years of service with
CREC. Most years we honor this
special group at a reception in
the spring. However, we are
hopeful that we will be able to
celebrate with them in the near
future. The 115 names on the
screen are those employees
celebrating working at CREC for
10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.
We applaud you for your
commitment to this agency, and
celebrate your longevity. Thank
you for your commitment to our
mission and to the children and
families of our region and of
our state. We look forward to
seeing all of the great things
we know you will accomplish in
the upcoming years.

English: 
the accomplishment and
commitment to excellence of
those who celebrate today for
their years of service with
CREC. Most years we honor this
special group at a reception in
the spring. However, we are
hopeful that we will be able to
celebrate with them in the near
future. The 115 names on the
screen are those employees
celebrating working at CREC for
10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.
We applaud you for your
commitment to this agency, and
celebrate your longevity. Thank
you for your commitment to our
mission and to the children and
families of our region and of
our state. We look forward to
seeing all of the great things
we know you will accomplish in
the upcoming years.

English: 
Now I would like to introduce
Deputy Executive Director Sandy
Cruz-Serrano to present the 2020
CREC, paraeducator of the Year.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: Good morning
CRECies. I have the honor and
the pleasure of speaking about
the paraeducator of the Year and
the nominees. Nelson Mandela
said, education is the most
powerful weapon which you can
use to change the world. The
2020 parent Educator of the Year
nominees have done that and so

English: 
Now I would like to introduce
Deputy Executive Director Sandy
Cruz-Serrano to present the 2020
CREC, paraeducator of the Year.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: Good morning
CRECies. I have the honor and
the pleasure of speaking about
the paraeducator of the Year and
the nominees. Nelson Mandela
said, education is the most
powerful weapon which you can
use to change the world. The
2020 parent Educator of the Year
nominees have done that and so

English: 
much more One of the things that
we look for when we select the
paraeducator of the Year is the
work that they do not just while
they're in school doing what
they're supposed to be doing,
but what they do with their free
time. And I must say that when
you see the paraeducator that
has been selected, you will find
that this person has gone above
and beyond and so, so many ways.
I'd like to introduce you to the
2020 paraeducator of the Year
nominees. From the CREC Academy
of aerospace and engineering
Elementary School, Kelsey
Kendrick from the CREC Academy
of Science and Innovation.
Jonathan Capsalors.
From the Ana Grace Academy of
the arts Elementary School,
Carla Butler

English: 
much more One of the things that
we look for when we select the
paraeducator of the Year is the
work that they do not just while
they're in school doing what
they're supposed to be doing,
but what they do with their free
time. And I must say that when
you see the paraeducator that
has been selected, you will find
that this person has gone above
and beyond and so, so many ways.
I'd like to introduce you to the
2020 paraeducator of the Year
nominees. From the CREC Academy
of aerospace and engineering
Elementary School, Kelsey
Kendrick from the CREC Academy
of Science and Innovation.
Jonathan Capsalors.
From the Ana Grace Academy of
the arts Elementary School,
Carla Butler

English: 
from the CREC Civic Leadership
High School Kimone Reid
from the CREC Discovery Academy,
Clyde Carpening
from the Glastonbury-East
Hartford Magnet School
Navaneetham Balasubrahmaniyan
from the CREC Greater Hartford
Academy of the Arts Full Day,
Paris Walton
from the CREC International
Magnet School for Global
Citizenship Joyette Solomon
from CREC Montessori Magnet
School Shante Forbes from the
CREC Museum Academy, Yasmin
Goodley from the CREC Reggio
Magnet School of the Arts
Tyeisha Jordan
from the CREC River Street
School Matt Erbentraut
from CREC Soundbridge Gena
Hallisey.

English: 
from the CREC Civic Leadership
High School Kimone Reid
from the CREC Discovery Academy,
Clyde Carpening
from the Glastonbury-East
Hartford Magnet School
Navaneetham Balasubrahmaniyan
from the CREC Greater Hartford
Academy of the Arts Full Day,
Paris Walton
from the CREC International
Magnet School for Global
Citizenship Joyette Solomon
from CREC Montessori Magnet
School Shante Forbes from the
CREC Museum Academy, Yasmin
Goodley from the CREC Reggio
Magnet School of the Arts
Tyeisha Jordan
from the CREC River Street
School Matt Erbentraut
from CREC Soundbridge Gena
Hallisey.

English: 
From the CREC Two Rivers Magnet
Middle School Jeanetteshka
Garcia and from the CREC
University of Hartford Magnet
School, Sarah Lacasse. And now
ladies and gentlemen, it is my
pleasure to announce the 2020
Paraeducator of the Year from
the Ana Grace Academy of the
arts. Miss Carla Butler.
Patti Phelan: Carla Butler is a
hidden gem at Ana Grace Academy,
the arts. She has worked in many
different positions at our
school over the years, and she's
equally adept and powerful in
each student's in every
classroom view Miss Butler as
their special person because
that's exactly how she makes
them feel that they are special
to her. She has their back. She
supports them emotionally and
with their academic work and
they feel very safe under her
charge.

English: 
From the CREC Two Rivers Magnet
Middle School Jeanetteshka
Garcia and from the CREC
University of Hartford Magnet
School, Sarah Lacasse. And now
ladies and gentlemen, it is my
pleasure to announce the 2020
Paraeducator of the Year from
the Ana Grace Academy of the
arts. Miss Carla Butler.
Patti Phelan: Carla Butler is a
hidden gem at Ana Grace Academy,
the arts. She has worked in many
different positions at our
school over the years, and she's
equally adept and powerful in
each student's in every
classroom view Miss Butler as
their special person because
that's exactly how she makes
them feel that they are special
to her. She has their back. She
supports them emotionally and
with their academic work and
they feel very safe under her
charge.

English: 
Ali Tran: Carla is simply the
best. I was so lucky to have
ever in my classroom all year
this year, she was my go to she
offered me wonderful tips and
advice. And her ability to form
relationships with students is
incredible, especially those
students that struggle. She has
an ability to make them feel
loved and wanted and worthy. She
is the best.
Jennifer Lucian Thompson: I'm so
grateful to be able to speak
about Carla Butler, both as a
colleague and a parent. She's a
teacher in every sense of the
word. I have learned so much
just by working with her for the
past few years. Having my child
in her class gave me comfort
because all year during my son's
fourth grade, I knew there was
someone in the classroom who
truly truly loved him. She loves
children fiercely and she
believes in every child.
Carla Butler : I want it to be a
paraeducator, because this is my
call to duty. The secret to
connecting with children and
families, to me is the
relationship. I believe if you
have trust

English: 
Ali Tran: Carla is simply the
best. I was so lucky to have
ever in my classroom all year
this year, she was my go to she
offered me wonderful tips and
advice. And her ability to form
relationships with students is
incredible, especially those
students that struggle. She has
an ability to make them feel
loved and wanted and worthy. She
is the best.
Jennifer Lucian Thompson: I'm so
grateful to be able to speak
about Carla Butler, both as a
colleague and a parent. She's a
teacher in every sense of the
word. I have learned so much
just by working with her for the
past few years. Having my child
in her class gave me comfort
because all year during my son's
fourth grade, I knew there was
someone in the classroom who
truly truly loved him. She loves
children fiercely and she
believes in every child.
Carla Butler : I want it to be a
paraeducator, because this is my
call to duty. The secret to
connecting with children and
families, to me is the
relationship. I believe if you
have trust

English: 
Safety and love, you can bring
out the best in anyone
Jelenne Parker: in the
classroom. She'd worked with her
one to one. But if her one to
one didn't need that much
attention, her focus would shift
to the other students in the
class and she'd noticed that
they need help. And so she'd
she'd asked them do you want me
to help you. And, you know,
they'd say, yes, no, whatever,
but she's still jumping there
and do what she needed to do.
And then they were drawn to her
the next time because they
realized that this person cares
about me.
Karrie Rinaldi: So Miss Carla
Butler is the ultimate
professional here at Ana Grace
she is willing to do whatever it
takes to make it work for all
students, staff and families.
She can be counted on to do
anything and everything. She
shows love to all that she meets
him as a great part of our
staff.
Elizabeth Clemons: Carla loves
learning. She loves learning
about people, young and old. She
loves learning new things, and
she loves sharing what she's
learned with others. And she is

English: 
Safety and love, you can bring
out the best in anyone
Jelenne Parker: in the
classroom. She'd worked with her
one to one. But if her one to
one didn't need that much
attention, her focus would shift
to the other students in the
class and she'd noticed that
they need help. And so she'd
she'd asked them do you want me
to help you. And, you know,
they'd say, yes, no, whatever,
but she's still jumping there
and do what she needed to do.
And then they were drawn to her
the next time because they
realized that this person cares
about me.
Karrie Rinaldi: So Miss Carla
Butler is the ultimate
professional here at Ana Grace
she is willing to do whatever it
takes to make it work for all
students, staff and families.
She can be counted on to do
anything and everything. She
shows love to all that she meets
him as a great part of our
staff.
Elizabeth Clemons: Carla loves
learning. She loves learning
about people, young and old. She
loves learning new things, and
she loves sharing what she's
learned with others. And she is

English: 
what education strives to give
to every student. She Is the joy
of lifelong learning.
Carla Butler : I keep in touch
with my one to one.
We I call her, I tell her that I
want to read to her. Her mom
gets her ready for our
conversation. And she would say,
sweetie, Miss Butler's on the
phone. And when I hear hi Miss
Butler that melts my heart. I
miss watching her grow. Because
when I first met her she was one
of those children that she
didn't comply to what we wanted
her to do. By the end of our
school year, she had grown so
much. She was so proud of
herself she was even even able
to participate in our
performances which she never did
before.
Anne Alleva: The children enjoy
seeing her
so much no matter what class
it's in.
Any class that Carla's in is
going to be a better place
because she pours her love over
the children and help them to be
available to learn.

English: 
what education strives to give
to every student. She Is the joy
of lifelong learning.
Carla Butler : I keep in touch
with my one to one.
We I call her, I tell her that I
want to read to her. Her mom
gets her ready for our
conversation. And she would say,
sweetie, Miss Butler's on the
phone. And when I hear hi Miss
Butler that melts my heart. I
miss watching her grow. Because
when I first met her she was one
of those children that she
didn't comply to what we wanted
her to do. By the end of our
school year, she had grown so
much. She was so proud of
herself she was even even able
to participate in our
performances which she never did
before.
Anne Alleva: The children enjoy
seeing her
so much no matter what class
it's in.
Any class that Carla's in is
going to be a better place
because she pours her love over
the children and help them to be
available to learn.

English: 
Kimberly West-Herzog: In the
fourth grade class, All the kids
are on the mat looking at the
teacher, mini lesson is
continuing, a little boy in
class he passes some gas and as
all fourth grade classes do they
erupt in laughter and, and and
everybody's giggling and looking
around and the little boy gets
red and his eyes get big and
Carla Butler says, excuse me,
all laughing stops the little
boy who was getting so
embarrassed is now saved. His
reputation is not tarnished. And
all eyes go back to the teacher
and education and learning
continue and that's Carla. It's
not about her getting ahead.
It's not about her agenda. It's
not about what makes her look
good. It's about truly
celebrating these children and
loving them.
Olga Agosto: She provides the
space that children need to be
able to work out their feelings
and express what they are
thinking and turn themselves
around in. Carla does that she

English: 
Kimberly West-Herzog: In the
fourth grade class, All the kids
are on the mat looking at the
teacher, mini lesson is
continuing, a little boy in
class he passes some gas and as
all fourth grade classes do they
erupt in laughter and, and and
everybody's giggling and looking
around and the little boy gets
red and his eyes get big and
Carla Butler says, excuse me,
all laughing stops the little
boy who was getting so
embarrassed is now saved. His
reputation is not tarnished. And
all eyes go back to the teacher
and education and learning
continue and that's Carla. It's
not about her getting ahead.
It's not about her agenda. It's
not about what makes her look
good. It's about truly
celebrating these children and
loving them.
Olga Agosto: She provides the
space that children need to be
able to work out their feelings
and express what they are
thinking and turn themselves
around in. Carla does that she

English: 
helps the children turn around
When they're upset, they trust
her because she listens to them
and that makes them feel valued.
Carla Butler : Our scholars are
our future.
Point blank. We need to know
what we can do to help them have
a better life. That's our role.
That's our role along with their
nurses and their teachers and
their parents. We are next in
line to help those children know
that they deserve the best
they're winners. They started
off as winners and we want to
know that they will continue to
be winners
when they get older because they
are our future.
Misty Wisniewski: One of the
things I love most about Carla
is when she comes into the dance
room, she joins right in with
the class she loves to dance and
it shows and it makes it so fun
to teach. This also enables the
students to feel more
comfortable dancing and stepping
out of their comfort zone.
Laura Chause: There's something
so special about her she is a

English: 
helps the children turn around
When they're upset, they trust
her because she listens to them
and that makes them feel valued.
Carla Butler : Our scholars are
our future.
Point blank. We need to know
what we can do to help them have
a better life. That's our role.
That's our role along with their
nurses and their teachers and
their parents. We are next in
line to help those children know
that they deserve the best
they're winners. They started
off as winners and we want to
know that they will continue to
be winners
when they get older because they
are our future.
Misty Wisniewski: One of the
things I love most about Carla
is when she comes into the dance
room, she joins right in with
the class she loves to dance and
it shows and it makes it so fun
to teach. This also enables the
students to feel more
comfortable dancing and stepping
out of their comfort zone.
Laura Chause: There's something
so special about her she is a

English: 
bright light when she walks down
the hall. She just exudes Come
warm special energy. When she
walks into any classroom and
greets her children or works one
on one she makes them feel very
special, valued and loved.
 I had Miss Butler in my
class for fourth grade. And she
was always so nice to everyone
and would always listen to kids
and really listen if any of them
had a problem. And she made
everyone feel awesome and
special and she caught everyone
kings and queens.
I love Miss Butler. She always
gives me hugs.
Carla Butler : My Scholar when I
started to see her grow and
become independent. I said to
her, you're not going to need me
anymore. You becoming so
independent. She said Miss
Butler, I don't need you
anymore. I want you because I
love you.

English: 
bright light when she walks down
the hall. She just exudes Come
warm special energy. When she
walks into any classroom and
greets her children or works one
on one she makes them feel very
special, valued and loved.
 I had Miss Butler in my
class for fourth grade. And she
was always so nice to everyone
and would always listen to kids
and really listen if any of them
had a problem. And she made
everyone feel awesome and
special and she caught everyone
kings and queens.
I love Miss Butler. She always
gives me hugs.
Carla Butler : My Scholar when I
started to see her grow and
become independent. I said to
her, you're not going to need me
anymore. You becoming so
independent. She said Miss
Butler, I don't need you
anymore. I want you because I
love you.

English: 
Love wins. Love wins. That's
what it's all about. Love
Winning.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: We are so
proud of you, Carla,
you've done a great job. And
here's your reward. Thank you so
much.
Carla Butler : My name is Carla
Butler, and I am honored to be
CREC's 2019-2020 Paraeducator of
the Year. Since a very early
age, I've loved being around
children. So becoming a peer
educator is my call of duty. My
purpose. I have worked with
children for over 40 years and
have never deviated from that
path. Working as a paraeducator
allows me to do what I have been
doing my whole life as a mother,
Child Development Specialist,
parent aide and mentor. I
attended college as a human
development and family relations
major. I see this line of work

English: 
Love wins. Love wins. That's
what it's all about. Love
Winning.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: We are so
proud of you, Carla,
you've done a great job. And
here's your reward. Thank you so
much.
Carla Butler : My name is Carla
Butler, and I am honored to be
CREC's 2019-2020 Paraeducator of
the Year. Since a very early
age, I've loved being around
children. So becoming a peer
educator is my call of duty. My
purpose. I have worked with
children for over 40 years and
have never deviated from that
path. Working as a paraeducator
allows me to do what I have been
doing my whole life as a mother,
Child Development Specialist,
parent aide and mentor. I
attended college as a human
development and family relations
major. I see this line of work

English: 
as a way of fulfilling that
life's mission. I love the
students who need need us the
most. I love all children, but I
am guided towards the scholar
who need our love and support
the most. I am passionate about
what I do. Therefore, I show
unwavering support for my
scholar and unconditional love
for her in school. I take the
responsibility of being constant
in my scholar's life seriously.
As a para, you become many
things for that child. My
scholar learns from me and I
learned from her, we teach each
other, I let her lead and I
follow. I am side by side with
her while asking her to show me
how to do things. I asked her to
help me teach me when really she
is helping and teaching herself.
We have forged a wonderful
relationship built on trust,
safety and love. You can get the
best out of children with
fundamental needs as your

English: 
as a way of fulfilling that
life's mission. I love the
students who need need us the
most. I love all children, but I
am guided towards the scholar
who need our love and support
the most. I am passionate about
what I do. Therefore, I show
unwavering support for my
scholar and unconditional love
for her in school. I take the
responsibility of being constant
in my scholar's life seriously.
As a para, you become many
things for that child. My
scholar learns from me and I
learned from her, we teach each
other, I let her lead and I
follow. I am side by side with
her while asking her to show me
how to do things. I asked her to
help me teach me when really she
is helping and teaching herself.
We have forged a wonderful
relationship built on trust,
safety and love. You can get the
best out of children with
fundamental needs as your

English: 
foundation. have also worked to
make sure that all scholars in
our second grade class show
respect in school at all times.
If the class is walking down the
hallway, and we are supposed to
be quiet, my hand is up showing
the quiet signal just like them.
I do what they do. They are so
willing to teach me that they
then teach themselves. I lead by
example, if Miss Butler can sit
crisscross applesauce during our
morning meeting, at the age of
58, so can they. When Sandy Hook
happened, we all remember where
we were. I was working in a
group home on the third shift
when I got a call from my son
saying that there had been a
shooting at a school that
morning. When I went back to
work. There was a message on the
whiteboard that said one of our
coworkers had a child Ana that
had been killed. I read a
tribute to Ana and was feeling
so much pain that I was

English: 
foundation. have also worked to
make sure that all scholars in
our second grade class show
respect in school at all times.
If the class is walking down the
hallway, and we are supposed to
be quiet, my hand is up showing
the quiet signal just like them.
I do what they do. They are so
willing to teach me that they
then teach themselves. I lead by
example, if Miss Butler can sit
crisscross applesauce during our
morning meeting, at the age of
58, so can they. When Sandy Hook
happened, we all remember where
we were. I was working in a
group home on the third shift
when I got a call from my son
saying that there had been a
shooting at a school that
morning. When I went back to
work. There was a message on the
whiteboard that said one of our
coworkers had a child Ana that
had been killed. I read a
tribute to Ana and was feeling
so much pain that I was

English: 
compelled to do something to
honor Her. in the tribute is
said Ana never walked because
her mode of transportation was
to dance, whether to the music
in the air or the music in her
head. She reminded me of a
little me without me ever
knowing her. A higher power that
was in my soul told me that I
needed to do something to honor
her beautiful life. When I met
Ana's mom Nelba I asked if I
could create something that
would celebrate honor. Nelba
said that she trusted me and
requested that it be a happy
time as Ana was happy.
This was the conception of dance
for Ana with love an all day
dance party fundraiser that
occurs every year around Ana's
birthday. Over the past eight
years, we the committee raised
thousands of dollars in books
for the event with all proceeds

English: 
compelled to do something to
honor Her. in the tribute is
said Ana never walked because
her mode of transportation was
to dance, whether to the music
in the air or the music in her
head. She reminded me of a
little me without me ever
knowing her. A higher power that
was in my soul told me that I
needed to do something to honor
her beautiful life. When I met
Ana's mom Nelba I asked if I
could create something that
would celebrate honor. Nelba
said that she trusted me and
requested that it be a happy
time as Ana was happy.
This was the conception of dance
for Ana with love an all day
dance party fundraiser that
occurs every year around Ana's
birthday. Over the past eight
years, we the committee raised
thousands of dollars in books
for the event with all proceeds

English: 
given to the Ana Grace project.
Our mission statement is to
strive to teach children their
birthright to happiness as we
inspire the whole child,
emotionally and physically,
through rhythm, movement and
literacy. Our philanthropic
grassroots endeavor has been
supported by many. I have
answered the call by founding
dance for Ana with love, co
teaching and helping to launch
an innovative program at school
called stamp strength to
overcome my problems together,
as well as a paraeducator. I
have learned that when you go
beyond your fears, you can do
much when you take a leap of
faith. I am a quiet, sometimes
insecure person, but a higher
calling within summons me to do
this for our children. My heart
is love. And my heart is the
love of children. I I know that
as a para, what I do matters and
what matters is that children

English: 
given to the Ana Grace project.
Our mission statement is to
strive to teach children their
birthright to happiness as we
inspire the whole child,
emotionally and physically,
through rhythm, movement and
literacy. Our philanthropic
grassroots endeavor has been
supported by many. I have
answered the call by founding
dance for Ana with love, co
teaching and helping to launch
an innovative program at school
called stamp strength to
overcome my problems together,
as well as a paraeducator. I
have learned that when you go
beyond your fears, you can do
much when you take a leap of
faith. I am a quiet, sometimes
insecure person, but a higher
calling within summons me to do
this for our children. My heart
is love. And my heart is the
love of children. I I know that
as a para, what I do matters and
what matters is that children

English: 
know their worth every day, I
have a new opportunity to
inspire children through my
work. We are living through very
uncertain times. There are a lot
of things that I don't know. And
a lot that I do. What I do know
to be true is that children
mirror me. Therefore, may I
always reflect happiness. Love
wins together.
Thank you.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: Congratulations
again to Carla. We're
so very proud of you, Carla.
And now to introduce the 2020
CREC, Teacher of the Year,
Superintendent of Schools, Tim
Sullivan.
Tim Sullivan: Good morning. My
name is Tim Sullivan and I am
the superintendent of the CREC
magnet schools. And I have the
honor of introducing this year's
Teacher of the Year nominees and
winner
in my 31 years in education, and
now as superintendent I have met

English: 
know their worth every day, I
have a new opportunity to
inspire children through my
work. We are living through very
uncertain times. There are a lot
of things that I don't know. And
a lot that I do. What I do know
to be true is that children
mirror me. Therefore, may I
always reflect happiness. Love
wins together.
Thank you.
Sandy Cruz-Serrano: Congratulations
again to Carla. We're
so very proud of you, Carla.
And now to introduce the 2020
CREC, Teacher of the Year,
Superintendent of Schools, Tim
Sullivan.
Tim Sullivan: Good morning. My
name is Tim Sullivan and I am
the superintendent of the CREC
magnet schools. And I have the
honor of introducing this year's
Teacher of the Year nominees and
winner
in my 31 years in education, and
now as superintendent I have met

English: 
many Exceptional educators. In
each year that goes by, I feel
even more confident that our
children will continue to have
access to the very best. This
year we had 19 exceptional
Teacher of the Year nominees
from our schools and programs. I
commend the selection committee
for their diligence in selecting
one from that pool of educators.
They are all worthy. Each
candidate embodies what is great
about teaching. It is my honor
and privilege to introduce to
you our CREC Teacher of the Year
nominees. From the Academy of
Aerospace and Engineering, Oscar
Perez, from the Academy of
Aerospace and Engineering
Elementary School, Colin
Glanovsky.
From the CREC Academy of Science
and Innovation, Michelle Lopez

English: 
many Exceptional educators. In
each year that goes by, I feel
even more confident that our
children will continue to have
access to the very best. This
year we had 19 exceptional
Teacher of the Year nominees
from our schools and programs. I
commend the selection committee
for their diligence in selecting
one from that pool of educators.
They are all worthy. Each
candidate embodies what is great
about teaching. It is my honor
and privilege to introduce to
you our CREC Teacher of the Year
nominees. From the Academy of
Aerospace and Engineering, Oscar
Perez, from the Academy of
Aerospace and Engineering
Elementary School, Colin
Glanovsky.
From the CREC Academy of Science
and Innovation, Michelle Lopez

English: 
from CREC Ana Grace Academy, the
arts Elementary School, Laura
Swanson from CREC Civic
Leadership High School, Rebecca
Macri. From the CREC Discovery
Academy, Rachel Beyer from the
Glastonbury-East Hartford Magnet
School, Betty Chang. From the
CREC Greater Hartford Academy of
the Arts Full Day program Julie
Nunes. From the CREC Greater
Hartford Academy of the Arts
Middle School Deonta Wade. From
the CREC International Magnet
School for global citizenship,
Courtney Sugarman. From the CREC
John J. Allison Jr. Polaris
Center, Sherri Witherell
from the CREC Metropolitan
Learning Center for Global &
International Studies. Nicolle
Bratkovics

English: 
from CREC Ana Grace Academy, the
arts Elementary School, Laura
Swanson from CREC Civic
Leadership High School, Rebecca
Macri. From the CREC Discovery
Academy, Rachel Beyer from the
Glastonbury-East Hartford Magnet
School, Betty Chang. From the
CREC Greater Hartford Academy of
the Arts Full Day program Julie
Nunes. From the CREC Greater
Hartford Academy of the Arts
Middle School Deonta Wade. From
the CREC International Magnet
School for global citizenship,
Courtney Sugarman. From the CREC
John J. Allison Jr. Polaris
Center, Sherri Witherell
from the CREC Metropolitan
Learning Center for Global &
International Studies. Nicolle
Bratkovics

English: 
from the CREC Montessori Magnet
School, Amanda Saucier. From the
CREC Museum Academy, Kari Smith
from CREC Reggio Magnet School
of the Arts Melissa Koster
from the CREC River Street
School, Sarah Yaiser. From CREC
Soundbridge Katelyn Hamilton.
From CREC, Two Rivers Magnet
Middle School, Sarah Seals and
from CREC University of Hartford
Magnet School, Kim Lukiwsky.
Congratulations to all of our
nominees is an honor that is
well deserved. Now I'd like to
introduce to you the teacher of
the year through a video.
Oscar Perez: I've been working
at the Academy of aerospace for
seven years now going into my
eighth year of teaching, and
I've also been part of the
athletic staff here at aerospace
as the middle school track
coach, as well as the head coach

English: 
from the CREC Montessori Magnet
School, Amanda Saucier. From the
CREC Museum Academy, Kari Smith
from CREC Reggio Magnet School
of the Arts Melissa Koster
from the CREC River Street
School, Sarah Yaiser. From CREC
Soundbridge Katelyn Hamilton.
From CREC, Two Rivers Magnet
Middle School, Sarah Seals and
from CREC University of Hartford
Magnet School, Kim Lukiwsky.
Congratulations to all of our
nominees is an honor that is
well deserved. Now I'd like to
introduce to you the teacher of
the year through a video.
Oscar Perez: I've been working
at the Academy of aerospace for
seven years now going into my
eighth year of teaching, and
I've also been part of the
athletic staff here at aerospace
as the middle school track
coach, as well as the head coach

English: 
for the Boys High School soccer
team. I love working at a
because everyone that pertains
to our community, the the
children, the students, the
families, the teachers
administration. The custodians,
everyone is welcoming. They're
nice. They support they assist.
Everyone here has helped me grow
professionally and personally,
which is amazing for me and I
can't imagine a better place to
work.
Delores Bolton: We had an
opening for a Spanish position.
He showed us that he was able to
connect with our community and
our culture of students. Oscar
was very passionate about
teaching.
Adam Johnson: Right now Oscar is
our eighth grade team leader and
he leads his team with such
optimism. He leads his team with
such a core belief in the
goodness of students in the
possibilities that students face
and the opportunity that they
will have in the world. It all
comes back to the relationship
that he has the teacher has
formed with both the students

English: 
for the Boys High School soccer
team. I love working at a
because everyone that pertains
to our community, the the
children, the students, the
families, the teachers
administration. The custodians,
everyone is welcoming. They're
nice. They support they assist.
Everyone here has helped me grow
professionally and personally,
which is amazing for me and I
can't imagine a better place to
work.
Delores Bolton: We had an
opening for a Spanish position.
He showed us that he was able to
connect with our community and
our culture of students. Oscar
was very passionate about
teaching.
Adam Johnson: Right now Oscar is
our eighth grade team leader and
he leads his team with such
optimism. He leads his team with
such a core belief in the
goodness of students in the
possibilities that students face
and the opportunity that they
will have in the world. It all
comes back to the relationship
that he has the teacher has
formed with both the students

English: 
with his colleagues With the
students parents with our parent
community, and the families that
come to our school, that really
is the power and the magic
behind the Oscars effectiveness
as a classroom teacher.
Eleisha LeMay: Oscar is the kind
of teacher who has high
expectations for all of his
students. And he helps them
reach those expectations by
inspiring them and making them
excited about learning. He uses
his own experience to show them
that anything is possible. And
an Oscars classroom, students
believe that anything truly is
possible.
Heather Prokup: So the first
thing that he does on the first
day of school every year is he
works with his classes to
develop a secret handshake. And
so this is something you see
where the kids develop the
handshake in the class. It's
part of his community building
that he does in his classroom,
and he somehow remembers every
single one of them. When you
think about what does the
handshake symbolize? That's what

English: 
with his colleagues With the
students parents with our parent
community, and the families that
come to our school, that really
is the power and the magic
behind the Oscars effectiveness
as a classroom teacher.
Eleisha LeMay: Oscar is the kind
of teacher who has high
expectations for all of his
students. And he helps them
reach those expectations by
inspiring them and making them
excited about learning. He uses
his own experience to show them
that anything is possible. And
an Oscars classroom, students
believe that anything truly is
possible.
Heather Prokup: So the first
thing that he does on the first
day of school every year is he
works with his classes to
develop a secret handshake. And
so this is something you see
where the kids develop the
handshake in the class. It's
part of his community building
that he does in his classroom,
and he somehow remembers every
single one of them. When you
think about what does the
handshake symbolize? That's what

English: 
it symbolizes this sort of this,
this bigger picture. It's It's
not about the one year it's not
about making it through eighth
grade Spanish. It's about
developing relationships and
skills
that are, are useful in life and
important and, and
all the things that you you want
your kid to have in a teacher.
Oscar Perez: The reason I became
a teacher was because of two
influential people I had in my
life. Mr. Hodges, my third grade
teacher who taught me that being
different is not only a benefit,
but something that I can
treasure forever. and Mrs. Ann
Hutchens, who taught me that
being a Latino would be very
influential, an important piece
of my teaching career, that I'm
able to touch the lives of many
students who are different than
I'm able to connect with them on
a personal level, to educate
them to become incredible young
men and women in the future.
Vera Combs: Oscar loves dance
and he's very good at dance. Our
students love dance, they want
to learn how to dance or they

English: 
it symbolizes this sort of this,
this bigger picture. It's It's
not about the one year it's not
about making it through eighth
grade Spanish. It's about
developing relationships and
skills
that are, are useful in life and
important and, and
all the things that you you want
your kid to have in a teacher.
Oscar Perez: The reason I became
a teacher was because of two
influential people I had in my
life. Mr. Hodges, my third grade
teacher who taught me that being
different is not only a benefit,
but something that I can
treasure forever. and Mrs. Ann
Hutchens, who taught me that
being a Latino would be very
influential, an important piece
of my teaching career, that I'm
able to touch the lives of many
students who are different than
I'm able to connect with them on
a personal level, to educate
them to become incredible young
men and women in the future.
Vera Combs: Oscar loves dance
and he's very good at dance. Our
students love dance, they want
to learn how to dance or they

English: 
want to improve. Oscar uses his
love for dance as a motivation.
To, for our students to work
with him. Students learn not
only Spanish but I also know
they will leave his classroom
with some new moves. Kids love
to go into Oscar's classroom.
Christian Rodriguez: Mr. Perez
teaches way more than the
Spanish language. In my case, he
taught me how to love and
appreciate my own culture. And
to learn more about what it
means to be an Hispanic person.
I've grown to become a
bigger person because of Mr.
Perez. He's taught me what what
things devalue what not to value
on the soccer team. He, he's
like family to us. We can all
depend on him. And yeah, he's
just a really good person.
Jonathan Jacobs: And my
sophomore year, we won the
championship. And we've also for
many years always won the CREC
sportsmanship award with our
team. So that's always something
he takes a lot of pride in
something he stresses so if
anyone on the team messes up
outside of soccer or anything,

English: 
want to improve. Oscar uses his
love for dance as a motivation.
To, for our students to work
with him. Students learn not
only Spanish but I also know
they will leave his classroom
with some new moves. Kids love
to go into Oscar's classroom.
Christian Rodriguez: Mr. Perez
teaches way more than the
Spanish language. In my case, he
taught me how to love and
appreciate my own culture. And
to learn more about what it
means to be an Hispanic person.
I've grown to become a
bigger person because of Mr.
Perez. He's taught me what what
things devalue what not to value
on the soccer team. He, he's
like family to us. We can all
depend on him. And yeah, he's
just a really good person.
Jonathan Jacobs: And my
sophomore year, we won the
championship. And we've also for
many years always won the CREC
sportsmanship award with our
team. So that's always something
he takes a lot of pride in
something he stresses so if
anyone on the team messes up
outside of soccer or anything,

English: 
he's gonna let us know on the
field and reprimand us for that.
So it's always something that he
stresses and takes a lot of
pride in.
Kelly Jacobs: I think it's huge
to have a role model like Mr.
Perez, because I think, through
his own leadership and actions
on the field, he shows them, not
only how to, like I said, win
with class, but also lose with
class. And that's a huge lesson
when you're very engaged in the
game. And sometimes it's very
hard to lose and it's hard to
lose with dignity and class and
he teaches them the
sportsmanship and how to care
for others on the field, to care
for their teammates, how to show
pride in your school and each
other, and most importantly, in
themselves. And he does that all
through example of his
leadership.
Jonathan Fernandez: He's always
available to everyone, even if
he's as busy as he is, you know,
he's willing to put things down

English: 
he's gonna let us know on the
field and reprimand us for that.
So it's always something that he
stresses and takes a lot of
pride in.
Kelly Jacobs: I think it's huge
to have a role model like Mr.
Perez, because I think, through
his own leadership and actions
on the field, he shows them, not
only how to, like I said, win
with class, but also lose with
class. And that's a huge lesson
when you're very engaged in the
game. And sometimes it's very
hard to lose and it's hard to
lose with dignity and class and
he teaches them the
sportsmanship and how to care
for others on the field, to care
for their teammates, how to show
pride in your school and each
other, and most importantly, in
themselves. And he does that all
through example of his
leadership.
Jonathan Fernandez: He's always
available to everyone, even if
he's as busy as he is, you know,
he's willing to put things down

English: 
and help you out in whatever way
you can. And I'm so grateful to
be working with him.
Oscar Perez: So reflecting on
the world today and the way
things are, I feel like if we
can give every teacher in the
audience right now FallStaff,
the CREC Teacher of the Year
Award, I think we all deserve
that. We are the essential
workers in this fight against
racism in the world today. I
think it's not just about
racism, though. I think it's
about students who lose hope
families who lose hope in
education. You know, I think
about this gift that a student
gave me It says, never lose
hope. And it really just
revitalizes me every day. You
know, it allows me to think
never lose hope and having the
ability to do what we do best to
encourage everyone that is here
at aerospace here in the world
here in school, that you know,
there is a better tomorrow,
there is a better tomorrow for
all of us.
Tim Sullivan: Oscar Perez
is a professional Educator of
the highest caliber and his
service to our school community
daily enriches the lives and

English: 
and help you out in whatever way
you can. And I'm so grateful to
be working with him.
Oscar Perez: So reflecting on
the world today and the way
things are, I feel like if we
can give every teacher in the
audience right now FallStaff,
the CREC Teacher of the Year
Award, I think we all deserve
that. We are the essential
workers in this fight against
racism in the world today. I
think it's not just about
racism, though. I think it's
about students who lose hope
families who lose hope in
education. You know, I think
about this gift that a student
gave me It says, never lose
hope. And it really just
revitalizes me every day. You
know, it allows me to think
never lose hope and having the
ability to do what we do best to
encourage everyone that is here
at aerospace here in the world
here in school, that you know,
there is a better tomorrow,
there is a better tomorrow for
all of us.
Tim Sullivan: Oscar Perez
is a professional Educator of
the highest caliber and his
service to our school community
daily enriches the lives and

English: 
learning experiences of our
students and makes our school
and CREC a better place to learn
and work.
Just as our FallStaff theme is
best together, we are a better
school system with teachers like
Oscar Perez.
I have had the opportunity to
meet Oscar both in and out of
the classroom and understand his
passion. In fact, he and I both
support the same team in the
World Cup. No, not the USA. We
root for Colombia, Oscar because
he is drawn to his place of
birth and their strong soccer
traditions. Me because I like to
watch a World Cup with avid fans
and Colombia has the best.
Oscar foster's a highly
supportive classroom
characterized by rigorous
student learning his
contributions go beyond the
classroom. He is a coach and
he's always available to his
students, their families and his

English: 
learning experiences of our
students and makes our school
and CREC a better place to learn
and work.
Just as our FallStaff theme is
best together, we are a better
school system with teachers like
Oscar Perez.
I have had the opportunity to
meet Oscar both in and out of
the classroom and understand his
passion. In fact, he and I both
support the same team in the
World Cup. No, not the USA. We
root for Colombia, Oscar because
he is drawn to his place of
birth and their strong soccer
traditions. Me because I like to
watch a World Cup with avid fans
and Colombia has the best.
Oscar foster's a highly
supportive classroom
characterized by rigorous
student learning his
contributions go beyond the
classroom. He is a coach and
he's always available to his
students, their families and his

English: 
peers. Oscar serves in many
roles in the school teacher,
coach, advocate, mentor and many
more. But one in particular is
serving as a founding member of
the aerospace equity Action
Team. Oscar's work on this
committee has undoubtedly led to
improve learning opportunities
and outcomes for our students,
particularly those that are
traditionally marginalized.
Oscar's award today is
emblematic of what CREC aspires
to. His story is Our Story.
Congratulations, Oscar.
Oscar Perez: All right. Thank
you very much, everyone. First
off, I'd like to thank Mr. Adam
Johnson and the AAE
administrative team for their
leadership and support. I would
also like to thank Dr. Greg
Florio, Mr. Tim Sullivan. Mrs.
Aura Alvarado. Mr. Sandy
Cruz-Serrano. Mrs. Marlene

English: 
peers. Oscar serves in many
roles in the school teacher,
coach, advocate, mentor and many
more. But one in particular is
serving as a founding member of
the aerospace equity Action
Team. Oscar's work on this
committee has undoubtedly led to
improve learning opportunities
and outcomes for our students,
particularly those that are
traditionally marginalized.
Oscar's award today is
emblematic of what CREC aspires
to. His story is Our Story.
Congratulations, Oscar.
Oscar Perez: All right. Thank
you very much, everyone. First
off, I'd like to thank Mr. Adam
Johnson and the AAE
administrative team for their
leadership and support. I would
also like to thank Dr. Greg
Florio, Mr. Tim Sullivan. Mrs.
Aura Alvarado. Mr. Sandy
Cruz-Serrano. Mrs. Marlene

English: 
Lovanio. Mrs. Elaina Brachman.
Mrs. Sarah Vocca, and the rest
of the CREC Central
administrative team, for having
me here tonight. I stand here
extremely humbled and honored to
have been chosen as this year's
CREC teacher of the recipient. I
can honestly say that my life
has been full of roller coaster
moments that truly define me not
just as a teacher, but as a
person. I'd like to share with
you all a story from my
childhood that has always stayed
with me, and has been
fundamental in my teaching
philosophy. In January of 1996,
my life changed forever. I had
arrived to the United States. As
a child coming from Colombia. I
felt firsthand the pressure of
being an individual who
struggled with language and
cultural barriers. From
bullying, to feelings as if I
could not keep up with my
classes. I went through
countless situations where I
felt defeated. As a single

English: 
Lovanio. Mrs. Elaina Brachman.
Mrs. Sarah Vocca, and the rest
of the CREC Central
administrative team, for having
me here tonight. I stand here
extremely humbled and honored to
have been chosen as this year's
CREC teacher of the recipient. I
can honestly say that my life
has been full of roller coaster
moments that truly define me not
just as a teacher, but as a
person. I'd like to share with
you all a story from my
childhood that has always stayed
with me, and has been
fundamental in my teaching
philosophy. In January of 1996,
my life changed forever. I had
arrived to the United States. As
a child coming from Colombia. I
felt firsthand the pressure of
being an individual who
struggled with language and
cultural barriers. From
bullying, to feelings as if I
could not keep up with my
classes. I went through
countless situations where I
felt defeated. As a single

English: 
mother, my mother always raised
My sister and I with the belief
that no matter how difficult
things are right now, there will
always be a brighter tomorrow
siempre de un paso  para de
lante y nunca para tras. Esas
experiencias dificiles que
vienen seran lo que te ayudaran
a superar todos los obstaculos
en tu vida, mijo. Those were my
mother's words. Always take a
step forward and never take one
back. The difficult experiences
that will come are what will
help you overcome all of the
obstacles in your life. During
this particular time, there was
a beacon of hope that pushed me
to overcome the struggles I
faced. And that was my third
grade teacher, Mr. Hodges. No
matter how much I struggled with
that language barrier, and the
cultural differences that I
experienced, he always pushed me
to the highest level of
challenges, both as a student

English: 
mother, my mother always raised
My sister and I with the belief
that no matter how difficult
things are right now, there will
always be a brighter tomorrow
siempre de un paso  para de
lante y nunca para tras. Esas
experiencias dificiles que
vienen seran lo que te ayudaran
a superar todos los obstaculos
en tu vida, mijo. Those were my
mother's words. Always take a
step forward and never take one
back. The difficult experiences
that will come are what will
help you overcome all of the
obstacles in your life. During
this particular time, there was
a beacon of hope that pushed me
to overcome the struggles I
faced. And that was my third
grade teacher, Mr. Hodges. No
matter how much I struggled with
that language barrier, and the
cultural differences that I
experienced, he always pushed me
to the highest level of
challenges, both as a student

English: 
and as a person. He spoke to my
mother about the potential I had
as a bilingual person living in
the United States, and
recommended that for practice, I
should copy words from a
dictionary one hour a day in
order to become accustomed to
English. Sure enough, everyday
after school, my mother would
say this was my special
homework. It was one of the most
difficult challenges I faced as
a third grade student. But that
experience taught me
perseverance, and motivated me
to learn English as soon as
possible. About six months into
that year, Mr. Hodges, without
my knowledge, signed me up for a
school wide spelling bee
competition. On the day of that
competition, every ounce of my
being shook with fear. But his
advice never left my mind. He
spoke with my mother, and these
were his following words which
my mother translated for me in

English: 
and as a person. He spoke to my
mother about the potential I had
as a bilingual person living in
the United States, and
recommended that for practice, I
should copy words from a
dictionary one hour a day in
order to become accustomed to
English. Sure enough, everyday
after school, my mother would
say this was my special
homework. It was one of the most
difficult challenges I faced as
a third grade student. But that
experience taught me
perseverance, and motivated me
to learn English as soon as
possible. About six months into
that year, Mr. Hodges, without
my knowledge, signed me up for a
school wide spelling bee
competition. On the day of that
competition, every ounce of my
being shook with fear. But his
advice never left my mind. He
spoke with my mother, and these
were his following words which
my mother translated for me in

English: 
Spanish. The only person that
you can lose to in This
competition is you. Being here
in this country at this moment
already makes you a winner. So
go and do the best that you can,
and you will succeed. Out of 25
students that competed on that
day I placed in the top five. It
felt like the greatest
achievement to me because I had
only been in this country for
six months. Mr. Hodges had an
unwavering faith that I would do
an incredible job and that I
would make him proud. He never
quit on me, and always worked
hard for me so that I can reach
success. It was at that moment
that I knew I wanted to become a
teacher. Now, I share this story
with you all because I truly
believe that we are living in a
time where we need to be
exemplary teachers like Mr.
Hodges was for me on that day.
Dorothy Height an iconic and
inspirational American civil

English: 
Spanish. The only person that
you can lose to in This
competition is you. Being here
in this country at this moment
already makes you a winner. So
go and do the best that you can,
and you will succeed. Out of 25
students that competed on that
day I placed in the top five. It
felt like the greatest
achievement to me because I had
only been in this country for
six months. Mr. Hodges had an
unwavering faith that I would do
an incredible job and that I
would make him proud. He never
quit on me, and always worked
hard for me so that I can reach
success. It was at that moment
that I knew I wanted to become a
teacher. Now, I share this story
with you all because I truly
believe that we are living in a
time where we need to be
exemplary teachers like Mr.
Hodges was for me on that day.
Dorothy Height an iconic and
inspirational American civil

English: 
rights and women's rights
activists once said, greatness
is not measured by what a man or
woman accomplishes, but by the
opposition he or she has
overcome to reach his goals. We
are currently facing
overwhelming opposition by two
massive issues that we are
facing in America today. And
that is race and this pandemic
known as COVID-19. Very soon, we
will have students coming into
our schools sitting in our
classrooms with questions and
concerns, as they look to us as
teachers for answers. We need to
unite now more than ever and be
there for our students. In a
time of such uncertainty, I know
that we are all anxious about
how the school year is going to
turn out. But I truly believe
that if all of us watching this
right now, band together and
work very hard and support each
other, not just in our
individual schools, but across

English: 
rights and women's rights
activists once said, greatness
is not measured by what a man or
woman accomplishes, but by the
opposition he or she has
overcome to reach his goals. We
are currently facing
overwhelming opposition by two
massive issues that we are
facing in America today. And
that is race and this pandemic
known as COVID-19. Very soon, we
will have students coming into
our schools sitting in our
classrooms with questions and
concerns, as they look to us as
teachers for answers. We need to
unite now more than ever and be
there for our students. In a
time of such uncertainty, I know
that we are all anxious about
how the school year is going to
turn out. But I truly believe
that if all of us watching this
right now, band together and
work very hard and support each
other, not just in our
individual schools, but across

English: 
all of the district. We can
succeed in being that beacon of
hope for our students and their
families. As educators, I
consider everyone here, an
essential worker. Because we are
essential in the education of
our students. We are essential
in providing our families with
comfort and hope. And we are
essential to each other so that
we can have a successful school
year. I want to thank and
dedicate this award to my
amazing colleagues at CREC,
especially my eighth grade team,
and my a family who have been
fundamental in my growth as an
educator and as a person, to my
wife, my family, and my friends
who have supported me since day
one. Thank you for always
believing in me. I also want to
dedicate this award to every
student that I've ever taught to
every family that I have met,

English: 
all of the district. We can
succeed in being that beacon of
hope for our students and their
families. As educators, I
consider everyone here, an
essential worker. Because we are
essential in the education of
our students. We are essential
in providing our families with
comfort and hope. And we are
essential to each other so that
we can have a successful school
year. I want to thank and
dedicate this award to my
amazing colleagues at CREC,
especially my eighth grade team,
and my a family who have been
fundamental in my growth as an
educator and as a person, to my
wife, my family, and my friends
who have supported me since day
one. Thank you for always
believing in me. I also want to
dedicate this award to every
student that I've ever taught to
every family that I have met,

English: 
because without all of you we
would not be here to do the job.
that we love. One final message
for everyone. Juntos,
superaremos los obstaculos que
nos esperan. Together, we will
overcome the obstacles that are
waiting for us because as they
like to say the comeback is
always greater than the setback.
Adelante, let's do this
together, CREC. Thank you very
much.
Tim Sullivan: Thank you Oscar
for those inspiring words. At
this time, I'd like to bring
back to the stage our Executive
Director, Dr. Greg Florio.
Greg Florio: Thank you, Tim. And
thank you, Carla, and Oscar.
Congratulations. But thanks for
sharing a few thoughts with your
CREC community today. I do want
to share some thoughts in
closing with you. So there's no
way to begin my remarks without

English: 
because without all of you we
would not be here to do the job.
that we love. One final message
for everyone. Juntos,
superaremos los obstaculos que
nos esperan. Together, we will
overcome the obstacles that are
waiting for us because as they
like to say the comeback is
always greater than the setback.
Adelante, let's do this
together, CREC. Thank you very
much.
Tim Sullivan: Thank you Oscar
for those inspiring words. At
this time, I'd like to bring
back to the stage our Executive
Director, Dr. Greg Florio.
Greg Florio: Thank you, Tim. And
thank you, Carla, and Oscar.
Congratulations. But thanks for
sharing a few thoughts with your
CREC community today. I do want
to share some thoughts in
closing with you. So there's no
way to begin my remarks without

English: 
reflecting on March 13. March
13, a few days before St.
Patrick's Day, that's what most
of us were thinking. Shakespeare
fans, the Ides of March coming
few days later. It was a day
where we decided along with most
of the districts in the state
that we would close, close our
schools for two weeks, like a
long snow day, and then we would
come back and resume normal
operations. Well, at least for
the year 2020, we didn't come
back. But what I want to share
is how impressed I was probably
not just impressed but amazed
that an organization remember
earlier I said FallStaff, five
or six they could hold in a
conference room FallStaff 54.
We're doing virtually but the

English: 
reflecting on March 13. March
13, a few days before St.
Patrick's Day, that's what most
of us were thinking. Shakespeare
fans, the Ides of March coming
few days later. It was a day
where we decided along with most
of the districts in the state
that we would close, close our
schools for two weeks, like a
long snow day, and then we would
come back and resume normal
operations. Well, at least for
the year 2020, we didn't come
back. But what I want to share
is how impressed I was probably
not just impressed but amazed
that an organization remember
earlier I said FallStaff, five
or six they could hold in a
conference room FallStaff 54.
We're doing virtually but the

English: 
last few years we've needed a
ball Park or Convention Center
to hold this staff. But think
about that number of people the
complexity of what we do and our
ability to pivot in such a short
period of time, barely losing a
step, finding ways to maximize
and meet our obligations to the
children's and the children and
families by providing an
incredible level of high quality
services, in a way we never
thought we would have to do. I
can say again, I was amazed. But
I can also say thank you. That
first weekend. Someone said the
challenge for a CREC student is
they don't live in the community
where they go to school very

English: 
last few years we've needed a
ball Park or Convention Center
to hold this staff. But think
about that number of people the
complexity of what we do and our
ability to pivot in such a short
period of time, barely losing a
step, finding ways to maximize
and meet our obligations to the
children's and the children and
families by providing an
incredible level of high quality
services, in a way we never
thought we would have to do. I
can say again, I was amazed. But
I can also say thank you. That
first weekend. Someone said the
challenge for a CREC student is
they don't live in the community
where they go to school very

English: 
often. How are they going to get
fed? Immediately CREC was
working with officials around
the state around the region. And
before that first weekend was
over. We had a commitment from
the region to be sure that all
children who needed to receive
their lunch and their breakfast
from their school would be fed.
CREC led that charge.
Immediately, people were
discussing how can we assure
there is equity in a distance
learning environment, when none
of us have ever had to do that
before, not to this level. We
needed a framework we needed to
give our partners we needed one
for ourselves to assure that

English: 
often. How are they going to get
fed? Immediately CREC was
working with officials around
the state around the region. And
before that first weekend was
over. We had a commitment from
the region to be sure that all
children who needed to receive
their lunch and their breakfast
from their school would be fed.
CREC led that charge.
Immediately, people were
discussing how can we assure
there is equity in a distance
learning environment, when none
of us have ever had to do that
before, not to this level. We
needed a framework we needed to
give our partners we needed one
for ourselves to assure that

English: 
while we were planning to change
the way we did business, that
equity was kept in the
forefront. And CREC developed an
equity and distance learning
framework that was shared not
only within CREC not only within
the Hartford region, but across
the entire state of Connecticut.
The State Department of
Education reached out numerous
times and said we need support
putting information on our
website about distance learning
about working with children with
special needs. How can we do
professional development in this
environment? If you look on the
State Department's website, and
you look beneath those documents
that are there, you will see
CREC because when they had that
need, they turned to us and CREC
delivered. When there was
communication going around about
what's reopening going to look

English: 
while we were planning to change
the way we did business, that
equity was kept in the
forefront. And CREC developed an
equity and distance learning
framework that was shared not
only within CREC not only within
the Hartford region, but across
the entire state of Connecticut.
The State Department of
Education reached out numerous
times and said we need support
putting information on our
website about distance learning
about working with children with
special needs. How can we do
professional development in this
environment? If you look on the
State Department's website, and
you look beneath those documents
that are there, you will see
CREC because when they had that
need, they turned to us and CREC
delivered. When there was
communication going around about
what's reopening going to look

English: 
like, we need feedback we need
information we need people to
help us think this through. They
turned to CREC and the other
RESCs.
Believe it or not, almost 50,000
parents, students, teachers,
administrators, community
members, board members provided
feedback to the state of
Connecticut to help develop its
reopening plans. And there were
many iterations of those
reopening plans. And we were
there every step of the way,
providing support. When it
became apparent that frontline
medical workers needed daycare
services in the middle of a
pandemic, when schools and
daycare centers were closing, a
very generous person came
forward to support that effort

English: 
like, we need feedback we need
information we need people to
help us think this through. They
turned to CREC and the other
RESCs.
Believe it or not, almost 50,000
parents, students, teachers,
administrators, community
members, board members provided
feedback to the state of
Connecticut to help develop its
reopening plans. And there were
many iterations of those
reopening plans. And we were
there every step of the way,
providing support. When it
became apparent that frontline
medical workers needed daycare
services in the middle of a
pandemic, when schools and
daycare centers were closing, a
very generous person came
forward to support that effort

English: 
and offer to the state of
Connecticut a significant amount
of money. But unfortunately the
state is not positioned to
accept that kind of donation or
have the speed and agility to
take that money in and
distribute it to where it's
needed. The commissioner of
early childhood and the governor
immediately thought, let's turn
to CREC and CREC delivered.
People dealing with our pandemic
didn't have to worry about how
their children would be cared
for. Because that stream of
funds was being managed and
handled by CREC.
I, again marvel
at what we as an organization
have done in the past few

English: 
and offer to the state of
Connecticut a significant amount
of money. But unfortunately the
state is not positioned to
accept that kind of donation or
have the speed and agility to
take that money in and
distribute it to where it's
needed. The commissioner of
early childhood and the governor
immediately thought, let's turn
to CREC and CREC delivered.
People dealing with our pandemic
didn't have to worry about how
their children would be cared
for. Because that stream of
funds was being managed and
handled by CREC.
I, again marvel
at what we as an organization
have done in the past few

English: 
months. There were many times
when I would visit Central
Office. Most of you know because
you saw my videos, my
headquarters was my basement.
But when I did go into the CREC
offices, usually thinking I'd be
there alone or with a few small
number of staff members. There
was always a team of people
safely gathered there working on
behalf of our families,
preparing to distribute food
early during the process,
helping to make sure that we had
technology that we could get
into the hands of children so
that their learning can
continue. This organization has
always stepped up has always
stepped up. But I've never seen
it step up more than it has in
the last few months. So I'm
thrilled today, to thank every

English: 
months. There were many times
when I would visit Central
Office. Most of you know because
you saw my videos, my
headquarters was my basement.
But when I did go into the CREC
offices, usually thinking I'd be
there alone or with a few small
number of staff members. There
was always a team of people
safely gathered there working on
behalf of our families,
preparing to distribute food
early during the process,
helping to make sure that we had
technology that we could get
into the hands of children so
that their learning can
continue. This organization has
always stepped up has always
stepped up. But I've never seen
it step up more than it has in
the last few months. So I'm
thrilled today, to thank every

English: 
one of you. To honor Dave
Cusick. Who I talked to on the
phone the day after he drove his
ambulance down to New York, just
to be there if they needed him
at the height of the pandemic.
Or to thank Dana, for when we as
a nation faced a tragic
situation, the murder of George
Floyd, and we as an
organization, although distant
and apart needed to be able to
come together, and we needed a
voice, to open up our courageous
conversations. And that was Dana
Turnquest. Or when we had the
opportunity to bring students
back in a very limited capacity,
but knowing how important that
was, Stephanie and Polaris said,
we're going to do it because our
kids need us. We need them.

English: 
one of you. To honor Dave
Cusick. Who I talked to on the
phone the day after he drove his
ambulance down to New York, just
to be there if they needed him
at the height of the pandemic.
Or to thank Dana, for when we as
a nation faced a tragic
situation, the murder of George
Floyd, and we as an
organization, although distant
and apart needed to be able to
come together, and we needed a
voice, to open up our courageous
conversations. And that was Dana
Turnquest. Or when we had the
opportunity to bring students
back in a very limited capacity,
but knowing how important that
was, Stephanie and Polaris said,
we're going to do it because our
kids need us. We need them.

English: 
We're going to bring them
together. And as I said, our
COVID equity group every week
providing much needed food and
other support to so many
families in the Hartford area.
And I would be remiss in the
middle of all this that a person
who I admire and I love working
with every day, Sandy
Cruz-Serrano came to me about a
year ago and said, you know,
CREC we should be the headstart
provider for the Hartford
region. The grant's available we
can apply. There has never been
a more onerous grant approval
process. But I am so proud to

English: 
We're going to bring them
together. And as I said, our
COVID equity group every week
providing much needed food and
other support to so many
families in the Hartford area.
And I would be remiss in the
middle of all this that a person
who I admire and I love working
with every day, Sandy
Cruz-Serrano came to me about a
year ago and said, you know,
CREC we should be the headstart
provider for the Hartford
region. The grant's available we
can apply. There has never been
a more onerous grant approval
process. But I am so proud to

English: 
stand here today and share with
you that Beginning in the 20-21
school year, CREC will be the
headstart and early headstart
provider in our region. I'm so
proud of that. I'm so proud of
so much of this organization so
much of what we do of who we
are. have the opportunity to
work with each and every one of
you. Why don't you take a moment
and enjoy this video reflection
of our organization.
{♪Music Playing♪}

English: 
stand here today and share with
you that Beginning in the 20-21
school year, CREC will be the
headstart and early headstart
provider in our region. I'm so
proud of that. I'm so proud of
so much of this organization so
much of what we do of who we
are. have the opportunity to
work with each and every one of
you. Why don't you take a moment
and enjoy this video reflection
of our organization.
{♪Music Playing♪}

English: 
 Thank you teachers for
teaching us from their home

English: 
 Thank you teachers for
teaching us from their home

English: 
{♪Music Playing♪}

English: 
{♪Music Playing♪}

English: 
Greg Florio: What a great video
I hope you enjoyed
that.

English: 
Greg Florio: What a great video
I hope you enjoyed
that.

English: 
I hope you did notice there's a
Little bit of a connection back
to what we did last year when we
were all together at the
convention center.
Where we try to acknowledge and
recognize all that is CREC. 48
people standing on stage with
their sign 48 people sharing and
thought about what their
division what their program
brings to this organization.
We can't forget to celebrate
that celebrate who we are.
I have tried to stay in touch
with you over the last few
weeks, last few months.
And I think when it began,
I tried to maintain a touch of
humor.
I thought that was important in
keeping us focused,
keeping our spirits up
during a very, very tough time.
You know me, I like to bring us
together and have a laugh or to
sing a song together. I even
thought about how I could

English: 
I hope you did notice there's a
Little bit of a connection back
to what we did last year when we
were all together at the
convention center.
Where we try to acknowledge and
recognize all that is CREC. 48
people standing on stage with
their sign 48 people sharing and
thought about what their
division what their program
brings to this organization.
We can't forget to celebrate
that celebrate who we are.
I have tried to stay in touch
with you over the last few
weeks, last few months.
And I think when it began,
I tried to maintain a touch of
humor.
I thought that was important in
keeping us focused,
keeping our spirits up
during a very, very tough time.
You know me, I like to bring us
together and have a laugh or to
sing a song together. I even
thought about how I could

English: 
possibly pull off a virtual
A game of heads or tails.
I was thinking maybe if you
email me your choice, and then I
tell you if you're in or out,
but I thought that might take
too long.
But to be very honest, as the
challenge of the pandemic
unfolded,
and so many other occurrences
that happened across our nation,
it felt like we were being
overcome with a deeper pall a
deeper sadness.
It was hard not to acknowledge
that our nation has failed to
wash away its worst sin of
systemic racism.
It's hard as we struggle
and look for leadership. And we
don't seem to find it in the
places we expect it.
It was hard to feel a loss of
control over an organization
that runs like clockwork.

English: 
possibly pull off a virtual
A game of heads or tails.
I was thinking maybe if you
email me your choice, and then I
tell you if you're in or out,
but I thought that might take
too long.
But to be very honest, as the
challenge of the pandemic
unfolded,
and so many other occurrences
that happened across our nation,
it felt like we were being
overcome with a deeper pall a
deeper sadness.
It was hard not to acknowledge
that our nation has failed to
wash away its worst sin of
systemic racism.
It's hard as we struggle
and look for leadership. And we
don't seem to find it in the
places we expect it.
It was hard to feel a loss of
control over an organization
that runs like clockwork.

English: 
But again, you couldn't be
personally in touch
With the people that you work
with,
oh, I'm proud of what we've
done.
And the people who make up this
organization.
And as I stand here today,
I wish I could tell you that
when you're viewing this, I know
what reopening is going to look
like. I have a good idea right
now. But I also know that
between the time we're
videotaping, and the time you're
watching this, it may change.
But what I do know and what I'm
confident in this organization,
is whatever
challenge we face.
Whatever hurdle is put in front
of us.
We will overcome it.
We have never expected nothing
less
than excellence.
And CREC excellence is a very
high bar.

English: 
But again, you couldn't be
personally in touch
With the people that you work
with,
oh, I'm proud of what we've
done.
And the people who make up this
organization.
And as I stand here today,
I wish I could tell you that
when you're viewing this, I know
what reopening is going to look
like. I have a good idea right
now. But I also know that
between the time we're
videotaping, and the time you're
watching this, it may change.
But what I do know and what I'm
confident in this organization,
is whatever
challenge we face.
Whatever hurdle is put in front
of us.
We will overcome it.
We have never expected nothing
less
than excellence.
And CREC excellence is a very
high bar.

English: 
I've gotten to witness even
though we're sitting miles
apart,
everyone embrace collaboration,
maybe not sitting in the same
conference room not sitting in
the same building.
But learning how to embrace
collaboration in a little 
quare on a computer screen.
And I saw as we watched the
horrible murder of George Floyd,
an organization
redouble its focus on demanding
equity. And knowing to do all of
this. We have to act with
courage. CREC courage.
As we're videotaping this, our
country's acknowledging the loss
of a true hero.
A true American icon,
a warrior for justice 

English: 
I've gotten to witness even
though we're sitting miles
apart,
everyone embrace collaboration,
maybe not sitting in the same
conference room not sitting in
the same building.
But learning how to embrace
collaboration in a little 
quare on a computer screen.
And I saw as we watched the
horrible murder of George Floyd,
an organization
redouble its focus on demanding
equity. And knowing to do all of
this. We have to act with
courage. CREC courage.
As we're videotaping this, our
country's acknowledging the loss
of a true hero.
A true American icon,
a warrior for justice 

English: 
equity. A man who even in his
darkest times
when his head was bashed in by a
police baton,
got up
and marched on,
carried on his mission.
So I close today
with his words.
Thank you for sharing those with
us, John Lewis.
be hopeful,
be optimistic.
Never lose that sense of hope.
We are CREC strong, we will thr
ve.
We will live each and every day.
Even if we're not sure what's
going to bring, by those cor
 values that are so important t
 us. Thank you so much. Have 
 great year

English: 
equity. A man who even in his
darkest times
when his head was bashed in by a
police baton,
got up
and marched on,
carried on his mission.
So I close today
with his words.
Thank you for sharing those with
us, John Lewis.
be hopeful,
be optimistic.
Never lose that sense of hope.
We are CREC strong, we will thr
ve.
We will live each and every day.
Even if we're not sure what's
going to bring, by those cor
 values that are so important t
 us. Thank you so much. Have 
 great year

English: 
Aura Alvarado: Hi CRECies. Thank
you for watching CREC virtual
FallStaff 54. I do hope you
enjoyed it and saw the intention
that we put in it just so you
can start your new year. Don't
forget to click on the link to
collect your virtual goodie bag.
I wish you all a great year.

English: 
Aura Alvarado: Hi CRECies. Thank
you for watching CREC virtual
FallStaff 54. I do hope you
enjoyed it and saw the intention
that we put in it just so you
can start your new year. Don't
forget to click on the link to
collect your virtual goodie bag.
I wish you all a great year.
