Waterbury schools honor counselor Craig Poulter with Inspiring Educator Award

The Waterbury Board of Education celebrated notable achievements and addressed pressing issues during its workshop on February 13, 2025. Among the highlights was the recognition of Craig Poulter, a counselor at Kennedy High School, who received the 2025 Inspiring Educator Award from the Rivera Memorial Foundation. This award acknowledges his dedication to students and the community, with the ceremony scheduled for April 10.

The meeting also spotlighted the contributions of several school counselors, including Ashley Motinho and Jennifer Estrella Vanderpool, who were mentioned in a book by Dr. Peg Donahue, an associate professor at Central Connecticut State University. Additionally, First Sergeant Jorge Montes of Wilby High School was commended for his positive influence on students, particularly in promoting self-belief and resilience.

A significant focus of the meeting was mental health support among students. The Superintendent's Student Advisory Council discussed the challenges students face when supporting peers in distress. To address this, the council received guidance from Wellmore, a local mental health service, and plans to create public service announcement videos to promote mental health awareness among students.

The board also reported progress in addressing attendance issues at alternative schools, securing $34,650 in funding aimed at improving student attendance. Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the recent inauguration of Kayode Martinez, a fifth grader from Chase Elementary School, as Connecticut's Kid Governor, showcasing the district's commitment to student leadership.

In a broader context, the board discussed the financial strain of special education outplacements on the district's budget. The unregulated costs and chronic underfunding of state grants have prompted the formation of a special education task force to advocate for increased funding and support for students with special needs.

As the meeting concluded, the board emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in addressing these challenges, looking forward to continued progress in enhancing educational outcomes for all Waterbury students.