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Cromwell Board names district teacher of the year, honors teachers and student leaders
Summary
The Cromwell Board of Education recognized four teachers — including district teacher of the year Jane Sarnowski — and presented student leadership awards to middle- and high-school students; presenters highlighted educators' long service, mentoring roles and classroom innovations.
The Cromwell Board of Education on Tuesday night recognized four school-level teachers and named Jane Sarnowski the district's 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Dr. Macri invited building leaders to introduce each honoree. Rebecca Serbezis was recognized as ECS Teacher of the Year for her classroom leadership and work with the district's Future Educators club; Woodside's Emily Presley was praised for creativity and classroom management; Alicia Melillo, a school counselor at Cromwell High School, was noted as the first counselor in CHS history to receive the Teacher of the Year honor; and Jane Sarnowski was named district teacher of the year in recognition of two decades of service and leadership in language arts and district committees.
"It is my distinct honor and pleasure to announce our district teacher of the year, Missus Sarnowski," a presenter told the board, calling her work "the very best of what education can be." Sarnowski thanked the board and said she is "a product of the school system" and is "honored and humbled" to receive the recognition after 20 years at the district.
Administrators emphasized the honorees' roles beyond daily instruction: mentoring student teachers, leading curriculum initiatives, running extracurricular clubs and organizing professional development. Jeremy Vizzone of Central Connecticut State University, who partners with the district's Teacher Leadership Academy, noted the teachers do this work "for no compensation other than intrinsic value" and highlighted projects that brought external speakers and career-pathway opportunities into classrooms.
The board also presented CAE/CABE student leadership awards to middle-school students Peyton Falsigno and Brian Pearson and to high-school recipients Summer Tetro and Sharron Mannick for their leadership in student council, service clubs and school projects. Student representative Summer Tetro said she will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study civil engineering.
Board members applauded the honorees and student leaders and closed the recognition items before moving on to routine business.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for August 12; several items recognized Tuesday night will appear in future committee updates and board packets.
