Thursday, April 27th ~ 5:30 PM

Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa, 243 Tresser Boulevard Stamford


Excellence in Education Awards 2023

Thank you to all who attended the 16th Annual Excellence in Education Awards.

The evening featured a networking reception with a silent auction, musical performances, delicious hors d’oeuvres paired with specially selected wine and beer, and, of course, the award ceremony.

This year’s event  celebrated our community’s commitment to literacy and the importance of inspiring a passion for reading in all students. We are thrilled to have honored the following friends of SPEF with the SPEF Leadership in Literacy Award, which recognizes those who serve the Stamford community and go above and beyond in their support of public education and specifically, children’s literacy.  In addition to these three awards, we announced the nominees and winner of the SPEF Educator Award!


2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS

1

SPEF Leadership in Literacy Award
Amy Beldotti

Associate Superintendent,
Teaching and Learning,
Stamford Public Schools

2

SPEF Leadership in Literacy Award
Alice Knapp

Chief Executive Officer
Ferguson Library  

3

SPEF Leadership in Literacy Award
Reading Is Fundamental

RIF is recognized for its commitment, especially in the area of education, and for its generosity in helping SPEF pursue its mission.

4

SPEF Educator Award
Wendy Tang, Hart Magnet Elementary School

Congratulations to Wendy Tang, the winner of the 2023 SPEF Educator Award! Wendy was nominated by the Hart Magnet Parent-Teacher Organization, and was selected by SPEF’s Board of Directors as the winner.


CONGRATULATIONS!

The following educators were nominated for the SPEF Educator Award because of their dedication to enhancing student learning with enrichment, embracing community collaboration, demonstrating a commitment to professional development, and supporting the greater Stamford community. We congratulate them as nominees and appreciate all their hard work as educators.

Kimberly Smith, Academy of Information Technology & Engineering

Simone Zwany, APPLES Pre-K Program

Peter Hadley, Cloonan Middle School

Pamela Woodside, Davenport Ridge Elementary School

Joy Bodnar, Dolan Middle School

Mary Huminski, Julia A. Stark Elementary School

Chelsea Romaniello, K.T. Murphy Elementary School

Alix Meza, Newfield Elementary School

Donald Barbour, Northeast Elementary School

Kristin Bivona, Rippowam Middle School

Michele Malave, Rogers International School

Patricia Kellogg, Roxbury Elementary School

Lindsey Lamb, Scofield Magnet Middle School

Jeff Gruetzner, Springdale Elementary School

Andrena Forlenzo, Stamford High School

Kimberly Balch, Stillmeadow Elementary School

Jonathan Kolman, Strawberry Hill Elementary School

James Agostino, Toquam Magnet Elementary School

Tim Vale, Turn of River Middle School

Danielle Marenholz, Westhill High School

James Hart, Westover Magnet Elementary School


SPEF THANKS THE  2023 SPONSORS

Thank you to our sponsors that made the night a success!


Excellence in Education 2022 Awards: June 1 at 6PM

The annual event was held at the unique Rooftop Terrace @ 600 Washington Boulevard and continued the tradition of bringing together community members, corporations, school administrators, teachers, parents, and other nonprofit agencies to celebrate the power of public education for students and families in Stamford.

SPEF honored the following 2022 award recipients:

SPEF Educator Award Jennifer Argenio, Rogers International School
SPEF Leadership Award Patricia Billie Miller, State Senator
SPEF Community Giving Award Deloitte
Stamford Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year Award Jonathan Ringel, Stamford High School

Excellence in Education 2021 Awards: March 25th at 6PM

The annual event was held virtually in 2021 and continued the tradition of bringing together community members, corporations, school administrators, teachers, parents, and other nonprofit agencies to celebrate the power of public education for students and families in Stamford.

SPEF honored the following 2021 award recipients:

SPEF Educator Award Katie Welsh
Luciana Lira
Betsy DeSantis
Ryan Carey
Fred Kelley
SPEF Leadership Award Jack Bryant (posthumous)
SPEF Philanthropy Award Gartner
Stamford Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year Award Donna Kaiser

Excellence in Education 2022 Photos (Awards)

Excellence in Education 2022 Photos (Cocktails and Conversation)

Special Thanks to our Photographers: Denice Laveris, Lew Finkel, Cristian Pimienta