Deborah Stevens of Strong Elementary School was named as Southington’s 2016 paraeducator of the year.
Deborah Stevens of William Strong Elementary School (SES) has been announced as Southington’s Paraeducator of the Year.
Stevens has been a paraeducator at Strong since 2004, where she works with special education students from multiple grade levels.
On April 29, Southington Public Schools announced that Stevens had been chosen as the town’s nominee for the annual award, given by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and School Paraeducator Advisory Council (SPAC).
“She exhibits an exemplary skillset as would be expected of such an employee by supporting academics, ensuring safety of the students and collaborating with faculty,” said Superintendent of Southington Public Schools Timothy Connellan in a press release.
The award is named for Ann Marie Murphy, Newtown, a special education teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who lost her life in the December 2012 shootings.
The CSDE and SPAC honor one individual with the award each year and presents all nominees with a certificate at a recognition ceremony on Oct. 1