Cones for Excellence in Building Strong Student Pathways
In the Holyoke Public Schools, we are recognizing one educator or staff member a week who is working hard to build and grow our students’ ability to: effectively communicate, think critically, productively engage as community members and become mindful individuals (from our graduate profile). We are surprising a deserving HPS team member with a construction cone that displays the words: “Awesome,” “Well Done,” and “Great Job.” These cones for excellence recipients also receive an ice cream cone gift certificate, donated by Friendly’s, in recognition for their outstanding work. Congratulations to these winners who are focused on providing a high-quality educational experience and offering multiple pathways for students to succeed.
To date, the following individuals have received an honorary Cone for Excellence:
- Judy Taylor, Director of Communications
- Joseph Corrales from Food Services
- Middle School ABL Team at Donahue School: Judy Rodriguez, Michelle Brazinsky, Elsa Pagan, Miguel Rodriguez & Melissa Nestor
- Caitlin O’Hare, support paraprofessional at McMahon School
- Gidella Cabrera, bus driver for Sullivan and STEM
- Jessica Bresnahan, long-term substitute at Sullivan School
- Kimberly Longe, ETL at Metcalf & Lawrence
- Ramon Cosme, Holyoke STEM Academy
- Glenda Curbelo, Lawrence School Office Manager
- Nestaz Vega, Senior custodian from STEM/HHS Dean Campus
- Emily Shankle and Alexis Finn, Special Education Teachers at Holyoke STEM Academy
- Jessica Santana, Instructional Assistant
- Crystal Ortona, Morgan School Kindergarten Teacher
- Dustin Rose, Kelly School STEM teacher
- Rebecca Lamb, Enrollment Center Manager Central Office
- Kate O’Donnell and Axelmma Martinez, E.N. White Dual Language Kindergarten Teachers
- Melissa Lawson, McMahon School Art Teacher
- Corrine Thomas, Donahue School 4th-Grade Teacher
- Kathryn Lorenzi, Kelly School Kindergarten teacher
- Chris O’Connell, Holyoke High School North Campus Adjustment Counselor
- Mayra Rodriguez, Holyoke High School Dean Campus Adjustment Counselor
- Maricely Negron, Metcalf School Paraprofessional
- Lisa O’Neil, McMahon School Special Education Teacher
- Gerry Lane, Peck/Veritas Schools Senior Custodian
- Ilka Rivera,McMahon School Registered Behavior Technician
- Rosie Serrano, Human Resources Central Office
- Marilyn Colby, Donahue School Nurse
- Yessenia Lopez, Veritas Prep ELA Teacher
- Jerry Serrano, McMahon School Cook
- Heather Roberts, Districtwide Physical Therapy Assistant
- Ryan Dearing, Kelly School Counselor
- Elena Danek, Sullivan School ELL teacher
- Angela Morales, Opportunity Academy
- Lisa Destefano, Morgan School
- David Rudzik, Metcalf School
- Darlene Henshaw, Holyoke High School Art Teacher
- Ms. Casey Doreums, Lawrence School
- Frederick Caswell, Peck School
- Tammy Cato, E.N. White 5th-Grade Teacher
- Roberto Vicente
- Jariela Cruz Caliz, Middle School Alternative Teacher
- Trish Wilson, Donahue School
- Odalis Acevedo, Metcalf School
- Amy Nill, Peck School
- Dr. Laura Chiaravalloti, Holyoke STEM Academy
- Laura Vazquez, Holyoke High School North Campus School Counselor
