Eileen Mezzo Named 2003-2004 Cas Middle Level Teacher Of The Year
Described as a “tremendous inspiration to (colleagues) and to the students whose lives she touches every day,” Naugatuck Middle School's Eileen Mezzo is the Connecticut Association of Schools Middle Level Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004.
Furthermore her colleagues hail her as a “…model of what an exceptional educator looks like.” In her 14th year of teaching, 12 at City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck, Mrs. Mezzo makes special education really “special” for her students. Small flexible groups that change daily, challenging activities and innovative hands-on projects characterize her classroom. All the while, the emphasis is on responsibility, respect, integrity and fairness.
For the past two years, Mrs. Mezzo has worked with another eighth grade teacher in a co-teaching relationship. This relationship has allowed a high degree of inclusion that has benefited twenty-six regular and special education students learning side by side. Another result has been a high degree of acceptance and tolerance of all students, regardless of their backgrounds.
Principal Francis Serratore describes Eileen Mezzo as a ‘great teacher and a wonderful person.” He gives her high praise for addressing multiple intelligences in her teaching and collaboration with unified arts teachers and community resources.
Mrs. Mezzo contributes significantly to educational excellence through her efforts outside the classroom. She is the initiator of the Transitional Program at the middle school and presents workshops for faculty on mapping, inclusion, co-teaching and behavior management techniques. She also has contributed through service on various citywide committees for staff development, writing assessment and the Special Services Advisory Council.
In the words of colleague Lori Bozutto, “her (Mezzo’s) commitment to teaching the students of Naugatuck, as well as her involvement with staff, parents and the community, exemplify the true meaning of the word ‘teacher’”.
The Connecticut Association of Schools is proud to name her as Middle School Teacher of the Year.”
Furthermore her colleagues hail her as a “…model of what an exceptional educator looks like.” In her 14th year of teaching, 12 at City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck, Mrs. Mezzo makes special education really “special” for her students. Small flexible groups that change daily, challenging activities and innovative hands-on projects characterize her classroom. All the while, the emphasis is on responsibility, respect, integrity and fairness.For the past two years, Mrs. Mezzo has worked with another eighth grade teacher in a co-teaching relationship. This relationship has allowed a high degree of inclusion that has benefited twenty-six regular and special education students learning side by side. Another result has been a high degree of acceptance and tolerance of all students, regardless of their backgrounds.
Principal Francis Serratore describes Eileen Mezzo as a ‘great teacher and a wonderful person.” He gives her high praise for addressing multiple intelligences in her teaching and collaboration with unified arts teachers and community resources.
Mrs. Mezzo contributes significantly to educational excellence through her efforts outside the classroom. She is the initiator of the Transitional Program at the middle school and presents workshops for faculty on mapping, inclusion, co-teaching and behavior management techniques. She also has contributed through service on various citywide committees for staff development, writing assessment and the Special Services Advisory Council.
In the words of colleague Lori Bozutto, “her (Mezzo’s) commitment to teaching the students of Naugatuck, as well as her involvement with staff, parents and the community, exemplify the true meaning of the word ‘teacher’”.
The Connecticut Association of Schools is proud to name her as Middle School Teacher of the Year.”