Phipps
ANSONIA — The following information is from Ansonia Public Schools:
Karen Phipps, Ansonia’s Teacher of the Year, is a second generation teacher whose passion for the field shines through her work in securing grant money for the school district, serving on district-level committees, and collaborating with the community to expand the opportunities for Ansonia students.
Phipps has been a teacher for 22 years, following in the footsteps of her mother, who taught physical education for 26 years in Shelton and Stratford. Phipps said her decision to become a teacher came after she graduated from college with a degree in Textile Marketing – not teaching. She said the job market in her chosen field was not favorable, so she began substitute teaching in several different grade levels in Shelton schools. That was when the lightbulb went off, and she found her calling in those high school classrooms.
“The ability to combine my passion for business, my own love of learning, and the enthusiasm of a high school setting inspired me to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a teacher,” she said. A member of the AHS staff since 1998, Mrs. Phipps said she still feels the same passion for this field, even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new challenges it presents.
“While this school year will certainly not afford us the luxuries of convenience and familiarity, it still offers us time to reflect on what we are grateful for and what makes this profession truly rewarding,” she said in her Back to School virtual speech to all Ansonia staff. “We will still collaborate, educate and celebrate our students’ accomplishments. We will still be teachers.”
Phipps received her master’s degree in teaching in 1999; a sixth year certificate in education foundations in 2002, and a master’s degree in Integrating Technology into the Classroom in 2008. She was a business education teacher for several years and has been a Master Teacher for the past eight years.
She serves on the District Data Team and has participated in several District and School Improvement Plans. She has worked with administrators to secure state and federal funding for technology integration and program improvements, and this past year, worked with several teachers to secure grant funding in Business, Technology Education, World Language and English. She has also been co-chairman of the NEASC accreditation team for AHS.
At AHS, she has been a class advisor, homeroom/advisory teacher, coach and club advisor for several organizations. She seeks out ways to promote student accomplishments through events such as the PSAT Celebration, Random Acts of Kindness Certificates, CTE (Career and Technical Education) Student of the Week, and celebrating student’s college, military and work acceptances through the district Facebook page. Phipps has co-chaired the School Governance Council and has helped develop and promote the 8th grade Open House.
Her work with building new pathways and dual enrollment classes with colleges and business partners has led to many, many more opportunities for AHS students. This year, a partnership with Housatonic Community College was expanded to include two college credits in Blueprint Reading and three college credits in Solid Works. This fall, new partnerships with SCSU and Post University will begin and additional college credits in business will be available through the partnership with HCC.
Paul Giansanti, principal of AHS, said in addition to her work with students, she is an invaluable asset to her colleagues. “She is so selfless with her time,” he said. “She has the pulse of the teachers and ensures that they are fully supported. We are very lucky to have her.”
Dr. Joseph DiBacco, Superintendent of Schools, and Steve Bergin, Assistant Superintendent, congratulated Mrs. Phipps on her selection for this year’s Teacher of the Year. “She is a true leader who gives 100% every day for our students and staff,” Dr. DiBacco said. “My personal goal has been to provide as many opportunities as possible for Ansonia children, and Mrs. Phipps’ work has supported this vision. Her message this year is to show gratitude – and I am very grateful to her.”
When asked what her message is to students, teachers and parents, Mrs. Phipps replied, “My message is simple … to show you deeply care for one another. My advice is to focus on compassion, attitude, resilience and effort.”
