Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced that 63 GPS employees have been named GPS’s “Difference Maker” award recipients for the month of June as staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our schools.
“For the past nine months, there has been an outpouring of gratitude towards the staff of Greenwich Public Schools from the community that has been inspiring,” Dr. Jones said. “We received more that 650 Difference Maker nominations for 512 individuals in the district. We are an organization of heroes that truly make a difference in the lives of children and adults, alike.”
The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker” award was presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day. Each building held its individual celebrations to honor winners with certificate presentations and other recognitions.
GPS families, students, co-workers, or community members nominated their difference maker online and was open to all employees of Greenwich Public Schools, full or part time, in good standing. It excludes contractors or employees of other town agencies.
June 2025
Greenwich High School
Sheldon Ayers (social studies teacher)
Brigid Barry (house/program administrator)
Andrew Byrne (house/program administrator)
Christopher Civale (IT support technician)
Jayanti Nerurkar (science teacher)
John Santoro (professional assistant)
Dan Silkman (assistant dean)
Community Connections
Elizabeth Gambrill Kramer (professional assistant)
Windrose
Carl Douglas (building substitute)
Central Middle School
Kevin Krois (English teacher)
Eastern Middle School
Kathryn Cole (social studies teacher)
Amy McGowan (literacy specialist)
Kenia Murillo (Spanish teacher)
Kristen Roy (English teacher)
Ronni Silva (IT support technician)
Western Middle School
Brendon Alix (English teacher)
Jamie Bayha (English teacher)
Ambar Coburn (administrative assistant)
Alyssa Cohen (speech teacher)
Jaclyn Kito (science teacher)
Lindsey Pontieri (Special Education teacher)
Taylor Somers (science teacher)
Cos Cob School
Melissa D’Amato (fourth grade teacher)
Silvia Galiasso^ (administrative clerical assistant)
Alison Philips (psychologist)
Emily Weiss (preschool teacher)
Glenville School
Stephanie Fazio (physical education teacher)
Randall Horton (fourth grade teacher)
Cortney Rosenberg (second grade teacher)
Hamilton Avenue School
Veronica Bizzaro (professional assistant)
Elizabeth Cid (professional assistant)
Melissa Flores (preschool teacher)
Maria Hartwell (professional assistant)
Tina Librandi (fourth grade teacher)
Stephanie Paulino (ELL teacher)
Laurie Tischler (professional assistant)
Julian Curtiss School
Holly Brown& (music teacher)
John Ehlinger (ALP teacher)
Silvia Hermoza (cafeteria monitor)
Caryn Horan (preschool teacher)
Mary Inzitari (cook)
Catherine Isidori (food service worker)
Arlene Laccetti (media assistant)
New Lebanon School
Victoria Boretsky (music teacher)
Ismael Franqui (Spanish teacher)
Darlida Ospina (speech teacher)
Julie van Roden (ELL teacher)
North Mianus School
Sandra Bria (cafeteria monitor)
Donna Horton (cafeteria monitor)
Daryl O’Hara (cook)
Loreta Salku (food service worker)
North Street School
Laura Bernann (library media specialist)
Old Greenwich School
Christiano DeLucia (Special Education teacher)
Sarah Romaine (Special Education teacher)
Parkway School
Kristen Machi (Special Education teacher)
Nicholas Russel (professional assistant)
Maria Villao (cook)
Riverside School
Gianna Arbulu (first grade teacher)
Cristina Fioravanti (second grade teacher)
Kiesha Neitzell (fifth grade teacher)
Havemeyer Building
Tara McAuliffe-Lunde (Special Ed evaluation team)
Kathryn Natale (Special Education coordinator)
Anthony Stempien (senior network specialist)
^ also works at North Street
& also works at ISD and Parkway
