Teacher of the Year

It is with immense pride and excitement that we announce Kim Fitzner as the 2025-26 Wethersfield Public Schools Teacher of the Year! 

Kim, a dedicated special education teacher, teaches students who attend the Wethersfield Transition Academy (WTA). Kim makes the WTA an extraordinary environment for both students and staff.  She is deeply committed to building strong relationships with students and their families, equipping them with essential tools, providing authentic learning experiences, and encouraging them to embrace new challenges.

At the WTA, where students with diverse assets and interests learn and grow until the age of 22, Kim's unwavering goal is to "help them believe in themselves." She masterfully employs a strengths-based approach, recognizing and celebrating the unique abilities of each student.

Kim truly embodies "out-of-the-box" thinking, as evident in her spearheading of the incredibly successful student-led WTA's Tasty Treat Dog Treats business and, more recently, the Cards F♡r All greeting card business. Through these ventures, students not only learn valuable skills such as shopping, cooking, crafting, and collaborating, but also manage their own budgets and decide how to best spend the proceeds as a group.

Inspired by her own empowering teachers who supported her through challenges, Kim strives to be that same positive influence in her students' lives. In true Kim fashion, upon receiving this honor, she shared her intention to overcome her fear of speaking at Convocation, stating, "I tell them [my students] everyday that they need to step out of their comfort zone. So I'm here because I need to step out of my comfort zone too!" This perfectly encapsulates her dedication to leading by example and her inspiring commitment to personal growth, mirroring the very encouragement she offers her students daily.

Recognizing the power of collaboration, Kim fosters teamwork among her students, enabling them to leverage their individual strengths and learn from one another. At the WTA, students explore various interests and career paths with the support of job coaches, and thanks to Kim's dedication, many have successfully transitioned to post-secondary opportunities, including Job Corps, community college, employment, and adult services. 

Those who nominated Kim shared, 

Kim’s enthusiasm and passion that she brings to her students is contagious.  When ideas are presented to her, she takes them on as a challenge with the students in the forefront of all her decisions. 

Kim is a true pioneer when it comes to transition and post-secondary planning for Special Education students.  She looks at each student as an individual and works diligently with the students and families to create a future plan that is not only practical, but also aligned with each individual student’s interests and strengths.  Kim collaborates with the Special Education programs at WHS and SDMS to create a seamless transition from school to school.

Kim is constantly reaching out to business partners in our community to help our students have meaningful internship experiences.  Because of her, many of our special education students leave Wethersfield Public schools with more than just a diploma.  

The students she has in her program have the opportunity to come out of their shell when they attend WTA.  Students are able to find their voices and do things that they never dreamed possible. 

Furthermore, Kim's initiative in fostering collaborative visits with neighboring transition academies provides opportunities for social development through fun activities, lasting friendships and memories, and has enriched the learning experiences for students and staff alike.

Kim is her students’ biggest cheerleader, and they know it!  Kim, today the entire district is cheering for you!  Please join us in celebrating Kim's remarkable achievements and her profound impact on the many students who have attended the Wethersfield Transition Academy and the entire Wethersfield Public Schools community.

Paraeducator of the Year

It is with immense pleasure and pride that we recognize Richard Tomaro as our Paraeducator of the Year for 2025-2026. 

Richard has been the cornerstone of support for students in several WHS co-taught classes and the ALS (Adult Living Skills) classroom consistently going above and beyond to foster student success. His proactive collaboration with teachers ensures seamless lesson delivery, and his targeted support reinforces critical concepts, creating a truly learner-centered environment where every student feels valued, safe, and empowered to actively participate in their education.

His nomination stated: 

Beyond providing direct assistance in instruction, Rich excels in planning and organizing diverse learning needs across a wide array of learners. Whether through small-group instruction or one-on-one support, he is able to help students grasp challenging concepts and support them no matter the challenge. Rich's presence alone significantly enhances student engagement, helping to always make learning more accessible and enjoyable for all students in the class. His level of collecting data, both observational data and providing feedback, has been one of the pillars of just how helpful he has been in helping to adjust current and future instructional strategies to support individualized growth.

Richard embodies skills that extend far beyond his assigned responsibilities. He consistently seeks out opportunities to support both students and staff, demonstrating an exceptional level of dedication and proactivity.  A powerful example of his strengths lies in his ability to guide students toward problem-solving and self-advocacy during science labs, fostering their self-confidence and encouraging them to persevere through challenging tasks.  Richard believes that a key to his success is to really listen to students and connect with them.  His compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment serve as a powerful role model for his students, leaving a lasting positive impression on everyone he encounters.  In return, his students demonstrate remarkable growth in confidence, kindness and the love of learning.   Richard's dedication is truly inspiring, as evidenced by his belief that paraeducators "kindle minds and excite in our students a boundless sense of intellectual, social, and personal curiosity," always striving to ignite that spark within each learner. 

Richard's impact resonates deeply throughout the WHS school community, extending beyond the classroom walls. Staff members appreciate his reliability and professionalism, making him a valued colleague. Students, in turn, find reassurance in his kindness and unwavering commitment to their success.  Beyond the school day, his involvement in supporting athletics events and assisting with specialized bus runs demonstrates a selfless dedication to our students' well-being. We hope today, like he does every day, he will enjoy his after work cup of tea and reflect on his day and what he could have done differently……. And tell himself that everyone sees his unwavering 110% effort, his deep belief that all students have unlimited potential and that he is an exceptional and deeply deserving Wethersfield Public Schools Paraeducator of the Year for 2025-2026!