DERBY — The Derby Public Schools has selected Amanda Troop as the 2021 District Paraeducator of the Year.
The Connecticut State Department of Education and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council established the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the Paraeducator in supporting student achievement.
The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Paraeducator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.
Ms. Troop is a one-to-one paraeducator for 7th grade at Derby Middle School. She supports learning center students in their art, music, and physical education classes. Amanda attended Irving Elementary School, Derby Middle School while it was house in Derby High School as a 7 – 12 grade building and graduated from Derby High School, Class of 2012. She continues to live in Derby and holds a second job at the ShopRite in Derby.
“Amanda is well deserving of the honor of Paraeducator of the Year for Derby Public Schools and Derby Middle School,” said Rachael Caggiano, Derby Middle School principal. “Her passion and dedication to serving students and ensuring they are meeting success shines through in everything she does. She makes a difference in the lives of our students each and every day!”
“I am so grateful to be honored as this year’s Derby Middle School and Derby District’s Paraeducator of the Year,” Troop said. “Growing up, I went to Derby schools k‑12, and I love being able to give back what I learned to the district. Every day I would leave school with a smile on my face simply because I love what I do.”
“We are so fortunate to have Amanda working with our kids every day,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway. “She has provided so much support in multiple ways and is always willing to assist. Most recently, she was immediately up and running with her own google classroom to support our kids during our distance learning.”
“The Derby School system is fortunate to have such an enthusiastic, loyal and innovative paraprofessional in Amanda,” said Jim Gildea, chairman of the Derby Board of Education. “She can be counted on to offer creative ways to impact those students that she works with. As an added benefit, Amanda has deep roots in Derby and having someone so connected to our great City with all is history is a huge asset.”
The school district also recognized Building-Level Paraeducators of the Year – Rita Mammano from Bradley School, Maria Ryan from Derby High School, Donna Kalafut from Little Raiders University, and Samantha Mahan from Irving School.
