East Haven Public Schools has selected its teachers of the year for the 2016-’17 school year.

Anne Diamantini, 3rd grade teacher at East Haven Academy, was awarded the East Haven District Teacher of the Year for 2017. Diamantini will be representing the East Haven Public School District at the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program recognition ceremony this fall in Hartford.

Diamantini has been teaching in East Haven for the past 23 years. Diamantini is dually certified in special education and elementary education. Prior to coming to East Haven, Diamantini taught at The Stonegate School in Durham and Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven. Diamantini has been teaching at her current school in East Haven since 1998.

Diamantini believes that her role as a teacher is to cherish and challenge every child, saying, “My role as an educator affords me the amazing opportunity to nurture and instruct the whole child.”

Diamantini recognizes that there have been many changes in education over the years, but believes her greatest strength is that she remains positive and is able to encourage younger teachers to see the benefit in every new challenge that comes their way.

Diamantini believes that teachers are a unique community and that they need to be valued and seen as important.

“We hold the next generation in our hands,: she said. “Teachers don’t leave their job at the door.”

This is Diamantini’s second nomination for Teacher of the Year since the inception of the program three years ago.

One colleague said of Diamantini, “Anne’s positive attitude goes beyond her classroom walls to the students who need her caring the most”.

Nancy Tipping was recently recognized as the 2017 East Haven High School Teacher of the Year. Tipping has been teaching at East Haven High School for more than 21 years. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and an adjunct faculty member in the Nursing Department at Gateway Community College since 2005. In 2007, Tipping became the Local HOSA Advisor at East Haven High School and since 2009 has been state co-advisor for CT HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

In this time she has taught numerous courses including Health Science Technology 1 and 2, and the certified nurse assistant (CNA) course. In addition, she is a volunteer with the East Shore District Health Department and the Autism Spectrum Resources of Connecticut as well as an active member of Northford Congregational Church. Tipping believes that each student is a well of untapped potential and that it is her job to help them to discover that potential. She consistently encourages her students to explore a wide range of academic content and seeks to empower them to set and achieve meaningful goals and make a difference in the world. Throughout her career, Tipping has worked to incorporate positive strategies and find ways to include rigorous cross-curricular content delivered through real world experiences. Tipping not only has the respect and admiration of her colleagues, but of her students as well. Her connection to the community, leadership in the classroom, and collaboration with colleagues, students, and families is second to none. She exhibits both professionalism and a true love of teaching, making her an example of the excellence inside East Haven Schools.

Kristin Cafferty, art teacher at East Haven Academy has been selected as East Haven’s 2017 6 to 8 Grade Level Teacher of the Year. Cafferty began her teaching career in North Haven in 1994, and started teaching in East Haven part-time in 1995 at the Carbone School. She was hired full time in 1996, teaching at Carbone School and East Haven High School. When East Haven Academy opened in 1997, Cafferty designed the art classroom, and she has been teaching art there ever since. Cafferty believes in teaching the whole child, and helps all students to appreciate art. She helps students to look at the art process with enthusiasm and joy. Through her own struggles with education growing up, she has learned how to break down techniques to meet the needs of all of her students. She attributes much of her teaching success to the amazing individuals she has worked with. She collaborates with colleagues to examine student learning. Cafferty is driven to figure out “student puzzles” to help each student be successful.

In addition to teaching, Cafferty is also the creator and facilitator of the state’s only Sensory Processing Disorder parent support group. She has brought the knowledge she’s gained through this experience to all of the schools in East Haven by providing professional development to teachers. During her time at East Haven Academy, Cafferty has served as head teacher and extended day coordinator.

Cafferty is a fierce advocate for her students. She teaches them anywhere, not just in the classroom. All of her students are held to high standards, and she is determined to help all of them succeed, both academically and emotionally.