Teachers Rally for Another Successful School Year

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Interim Superintendent Dr. Sal Corda delivers an inspiring speech to the faculty of Greenwich Public Schools last week (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)
Interim Superintendent Dr. Sal Corda delivers an inspiring speech to the faculty of Greenwich Public Schools last week (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)

The staff of Greenwich Public Schools was greeted on Friday morning at Greenwich High School with inspirational messages from an array of speakers, including Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Salvatore Corda, Board of Education Chairman Laura Erickson, and GEA President Carol Sutton in preparation for another school year.

“I want to say good morning to the 967 most powerful people in the town of Greenwich,” Dr. Corda said to the GPS staff. “You’re the most powerful people in the town of Greenwich. I’m not just blowing smoke at you, I believe that.”

Dr. Corda was named the interim superintendent after Dr. Bill McKersie announced that he would not seek renewal of his contract in April. Dr. Corda’s remarks, which came at the end of the ceremony, brought encouragement to the district staff.

“I’m the new kid on the block. I’m the interim superintendent,” said Dr. Corda. “A buddy of mine asked me when I came to Greenwich, ‘What does an interim superintendent do?’ I answered, ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t know how to be an interim superintendent… I know how to be a superintendent.”

Dr. Corda’s message was heard loud and clear by the staff, which filled up the new MISA performing arts center.

GEA President, Carol Sutton, speaks to the GPS faculty (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)
GEA President, Carol Sutton, speaks to the GPS faculty (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)

“The only difference between me and a superintendent who is not an interim superintendent, I know when my contract is going to end,” said Dr. Corda. “When you are the superintendent of schools, whether you are an interim or whether you are a person with a longer contract, the responsibility that you have does not change. My job is to do the best that I can so that you can do your job.”

At perhaps the only time the district staff gathers together in their yearly convocation, GEA President Carol Sutton spoke about what the teachers and educators mean to a new lot of incoming students.

“I am honored to welcome you all to the 2016-17 school year,” said Sutton. “The Greenwich Public Schools are successful and enviable because of the dedication and the passion that all of you bring, year round, to your professions. Our schools are fortunate beyond measure to have you. I know it is going to be a great year.”

Sutton reminded the staff how quickly time passes in their profession, noting that GHS’s Class of 2017 would be the last students born, for the most part, in the 20th century.

GHS Student Body President Joseph Magliocco spoke as the student representative to the GPS staff, thanking them for their continued work and dedication on behalf of the student body.

“I know the level of dedication that you all put in, because I see it every day in the school and when I go home,” said Magliocco. “I know that you get up early and I know that you stay up late.”

Magliocco, a senior, quoted a recent Greenwich Sentinel article called “Success or Significance” to relay his message to the staff.

“The article encouraged readers to ask themselves whether they aim for success or significance,” said Magliocco. “In this room, that question is very easy to answer. The job of a teacher embodies the definition of significance. From kindergarten to calculus, from physical education to art, the commitments to your students and their lives is clearly evident. I am standing up here today thanks to the encouragement and inspiration of my teachers. You pushed me, you motivated me and you guided me.”

Dr. Sarah Golden delivers a speech to the GPS faculty (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)
Dr. Sarah Goldin delivers a speech to the GPS faculty (Evan Triantafilidis Photo)

Dr. Sarah Goldin, the GPS representative for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year program, gave a pep-rally speech to her colleagues on what makes teaching so rewarding.

“I would encourage all of you to forget your tape dispensers, forget your classrooms and forget about all that stuff for a few minutes, and just think about and make a mental list every time a student and their family has reached out to you and gone out of their way to let you know that you mattered,” said Dr. Goldin. “If you’re a new teacher, you may not have those moments yet, but I’m sure your choice to become a teacher was in part based upon imagining what those moments would be like. Think about what you did as a teacher, counselor or coach that prompted the student or their family to respond that way.

“I encourage you all to take a deep breath, look forward to meeting your new students in a couple of days, and I wish you all a very wonderful, productive, excellent and fulfilling year.”

Dr. Corda put in bracing perspective the importance of those who work in a classroom setting.

“Those of you who are in the classroom, those of you who support the work of the classroom, those of you who provide the leadership in buildings, those of you who provide the leadership in the central office—your job is more important than mine,” he said. “The reason for that is because the impact that you make on kids lasts positively or negatively for the rest of their lives. The difference that you make on a young person is going to stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

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