www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 20, Number 25
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Teacher of the Year ‘incredibly resilient’
Model students are recognized
Plainville Community Schools named Plainville Community Schools Library Information Teacher Cindi Giantonio 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year. Giantonio was nominated by district colleagues Erica Kriscenski and Alexandra Hurlock.
The students are honored, along with their family members and guests, at a staff Voisine meeting where they are awarded The Student Rocks a book and preAward was estabsented the Student lished by three Rocks plaque teachers in 2010 as where their names a way to honor are engraved. The those students plaque, displayed who “do the right in the school’s thing” every day awards showcase, without looking Gibson reads: “Awarded for acknowledgement. Once a to students who semester, teachers nomiassume responsibility for nate and then vote for two
Giantonio has been an educator for 31 years, serving most recently as the Library Information Teacher for Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School. Prior to taking that post in 2019, she served as a second-grade teacher at Wheeler, beginning in 2002. When asked about her philosophy of teaching, Giantonio explained, “I believe that learning is as essential to a student’s well-being as food and shelter. It is my responsibility as a teacher to provide my students with educational experiences that are engaging, meaningful, and inspire the life-long love of learning. This learning is a process that incorporates exploration, collaboration, and reflection that lead to self-discovery. Each student who walks through my classroom door is a unique and special individual. I embrace their individuality and diversity and create an environment that encourages all learners to meet their fullest potential.” “My students are given access to information and are provided the tools to grow their knowledge through the act of investigation,” Giantonio continued. “I hold my students to the highest standards and require those same expectations for my-
students they believe are worthy of the award.
Plainville High School students Katherine Gibson and Kyle Voisine were named recipients of the second semester Student Rocks Award.
See Students, A4
Petit: No on marijuana Connecticut is poised to become the 19th state to legalize adult, recreational use of cannabis, now that a long-awaited bill — An Act Concerning
Plainville Community Schools Teacher of the Year Cindi Giantonio
self. It is hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to take academic risks that guide them on the path of success. My students are eager, active learners and they rise to the occasion.” As Teacher of the Year, Giantonio is a candidate for Connecticut’s 2021 Teacher of the Year Program. Each district Teacher of the Year will be recognized later this year by the Connecticut Department of Education.
“Mrs. Giantonio is a perfect representative of the qualities that come to mind when hearing the title, Plainville Community Schools Teacher of the Year,” Superintendent of Schools Steven LePage stated. “Mrs. Giantonio’s peers describe her as talented and committed, positive, flexible, helpful and supportive, highly dedicated to student learning and care, kind to all, and incredibly resilient. Despite having a See Teacher, A2
Responsible and Equitable Regulation of AdultUse Cannabis — has cleared the General AsSee Marijuana, A4
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