Connecticut State Department of Education

Teacher of the Year Ceremony
Due to inclement weather, the Teacher of the Year Ceremony has been postponed to December 16, 2025 from 5-7pm. Doors will open at 4pm. The Ceremony will take place at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, and the order of events will remain the same.

Reading Leadership Implementation Council

Members

Council members are appointed as outlined in statute.

  • Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr., Superintendent Derby Public Schools
  • Dr. Michael Coyne, Professor, Neag School of Education the University of Connecticut 
  • Dr. Margie Gillis, Founder and President, Literacy How, Inc. 
  • Steven Hernandez, Executive Director, ConnCAN
  • Gary Highsmith, Superintendent Hamden Public Schools
  • Yazmin Ithier-Vicenty, Teacher, Hartford Public Schools
  • Dr. Tamu Lucero, Superintendent, Stamford Public Schools
  • Dr. Ashley C. Oldham, Assistant Professor of Education, Department of Special Education, University of Saint Joseph
  • Shandra Scott-Brown, Principal CREC Museum Academy
  • Dr. Melissa K. Wlodarczyk Hickey, Connecticut State Department of Education
  • Dr. James Zavodjancik, Chief Academic Officer, Fairfield Public Schools

Council staff

  • Irene E. Parisi, Connecticut State Department of Education
  • Katyria Rivera, Connecticut State Department of Education