Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones revealed the first honorees of the 2025-2026 school year in the return of the district’s initiative, “Difference Makers,” with a twist: “Difference Makers 2.0.”
Difference Maker award recipients are staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our classrooms. This year, we will be honoring one from each school and one from each district department that are considered “unsung heroes.”
“Last year’s Difference Makers program was a massive success,” Dr. Jones said. “The inaugural class of Difference Makers are a special group, recognized by their peers and student family members, who are committed to develop students’ academic, personal, and interpersonal capacities. We expect this year’s Difference Makers to be equally as impressive.”
The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker 2.0” award is 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. Honorees are officially nominated by principals and district senior leadership.
2025-2026 Difference Makers 2.0
October 2025
Gloria Amortegui, financial analyst, Central Office
Jennifer Banks, administrative assistant, Glenville
Alyssa Baxley, art teacher, North Mianus
Ferris Buddy, art teacher, IS at Dundee
Beth Cotter, math interventionist, New Lebanon
Joanne D’Andrea, sub school nurse, Old Greenwich
Marty D’Andrea, administrative assistant, Central Office
Dannielle DiAngelo, administrative assistant, Riverside
Dale Ginise, head custodian, Central MS
Jillian Harriman, social studies teacher, Eastern MS
Rose Hensley, food service worker, Cos Cob
Karen Martin, network specialist, Central Office
Colleen Mastroianni, 2nd grade teacher, Julian Curtiss
Julie Prescott, school nurse, Parkway
Michael Reid, K-8 math coordinator, Central Office
Firmino Rodrigues, custodian, Hamilton Avenue
Rachel Rubin, inclusion specialist, Central Office
Dana Tulotta, vice principal, Greenwich HS
Jeanine Urban, administrative assistant, North Street
Taryn Weiss, administrative assistant, Western MS
