ANSONIA – Superintendent Dr. Joseph DiBacco delivered the commencement address for the Quinnipiac University School of Education, Class of 2021, on May 9, 2021.
For Dr. DiBacco, it was deeply personal to be speaking at Quinnipiac, a college that he had planned to attend while a student at Platt High School in Meriden.
He spoke about his plan to attend Quinnipiac, and enroll in the occupational therapy/physical therapy program, and play for the QU Bobcats soccer team.
Then, a chance encounter in high school with students with special needs helped him discover his true passion to become a special education teacher, “to give voice to those who have gone unheard.”
Dr. DiBacco graduated from Boston College, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in special education, and he has earned three additional degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership.
He imparted three lessons to the QU graduates:
1. You don’t have it all figured out, and nothing is by accident;
2. Be an architect and draw your own lines. As an educator, you are designing, creating and building every day.
3. When you think your tank is empty, remember, you have more to give. And when you win their hearts, their minds will follow.
Dr. DiBacco has been partnering with Quinnipiac University for years, starting with he was an assistant principal at Hamden High School and principal of Shepherd Glen Elementary School in Hamden. Since his arrival in Ansonia, he has renewed his desire to work with QU in order to expand college and career opportunities for Ansonia children.
“Standing there, at the base of Sleeping Giant State Park, with our future teachers, I felt inspired about the opportunities that exist – and I want to bring this vision to the students of Ansonia,” Dr. DiBacco said. “It renewed my commitment as the leader of our district.”
Quinnipiac President Judy Olian spoke of educators as leaders, role models and social advocates.
“As I look out on the quad today, I see an inspiring group of future educators who will be on the frontline shaping generations of future leaders,” Olian said. “As role models for our youth, you will help facilitate positive developments throughout society and improve quality of life by offering a transformative education to all children — rich and poor, fighting for fairness and the truth, challenging the entrenched social order that is unequal.”
Connecticut’s Miguel Cardona, the new U.S. Secretary of Education, shared a prerecorded video message with the Class of 2021.
“Education lays the foundation for the opportunity for success, for fulling lives and rewarding careers,” said Cardona, a native of Meriden, Connecticut like DiBacco. “For each generation in a family to do better than the last for strong, healthy communities, and for a more just, equitable, caring and prosperous society.”
Great Give Interview
Last week, Dr. DiBacco brought his remarks about the future of education during an interview with Eugene Driscoll, editor of the Valley Independent Sentinel. Dr. DiBacco was one of several guests during the Valley Indy’s participation in The Great Give campaign on May 4 – 5.
Ansonia Public Schools did not participate in The Great Give this year but has in previous years.
Dr. DiBacco urged listeners to support local community organizations. He thanked the teachers of Ansonia Public Schools for their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that it was Teacher Appreciation Week.
He spoke about the vaccination clinics that the district has sponsored for staff and for students; the federal COVID relief grant awards and how he hopes to “change the landscape of the community” with these funds; and guest speakers who are experts in their field, who were brought virtually to Ansonia students this year.
Recently, the chief financial officer of the Boston Red Sox and the chief executive officer of the New York Liberty addressed AHS students enrolled in the Sports Marketing class. Dr. DiBacco promised that there are more great things to come to Ansonia.
Here is Dr. DiBacco’s commencement address (he begins speaking at the 25 minute mark):
Here is his Great Give interview with The Valley Indy:
Info in this post was taken from separate press releases from Ansonia Public Schools and Quinnipiac University.
