Catherine DiGioia, the district’s Teacher of the Year, has worked at Lincoln-Bassett for the her entire eight-year career in teaching and supports students ages 4 to 12 years old with “diverse learning needs,” according to a school district news release.
She is a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom, which is where students with disabilities or intensive needs are placed for learning for the majority of the school day.
Since starting at Lincoln-Bassett in 2018, DiGioia has “played an integral role in developing and expanding the school’s special education program for self-contained classrooms,” the district said. Originally, there was only one kindergarten classroom, and now it is a program that serves students through middle school.
DiGioa teaches reading, mathematics, writing, science and social studies, along with providing individualized instruction in motor development, life skills, communication, social skills and behavior support, the district said.
“Our district is filled with so many talented educators who make a difference in the lives of children every single day, so this recognition means more to me than I can express,” DiGioa said at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday.
DiGioa holds dual bachelor’s degrees in special education and elementary education, a master’s degree in autism and developmental disabilities and a sixth-yeah degree in assistive technology from Southern Connecticut State University.
Linda Randi is Paraeducator of the Year for the New Haven Public Schools. She has been with the district since 1985, “helping students grow academically, socially and emotionally,” according to the district.
She is a kindergarten paraeducator at Nathan Hale School, and for the past 10 years, Randi has been a paraeducator union steward. She is also a breast cancer survivor.
“Linda’s journey began after the sudden loss of her husband, when she volunteered at her children’s school and later joined the ‘Write to Read’ program,” the release says. “What started as a way to stay connected to her children became a lifelong calling. Inspired by her husband’s dedication to education, she has spent decades building meaningful relationships with students and helping them achieve success.”
At the Board of Education meeting, Randi said it has been a “privilege” for the past 41 years to support students and celebrate their successes, while they overcome their challenges. The recognition is “one of my greatest honors of my life,” she said.
“To my fellow paraeducators, thank you for your dedication, compassion and perseverance,” she said. “Even on the most challenging days, remember that the work you do matters.”
A panel of administrators, union representatives and previous honorees selected DiGioia and Randi for their honors from the recipients of the spring’s TAPS awards, which recognizes district staff who show a commitment to “excellence in education” and go out of their way to support students and their families, according to the district.
