Landolfi (left) and Lupacchino, Derby’s teachers of the year.
DERBY — Donata Lupacchino and Tracy Landolfi are Derby’s 2022 teachers of the year, the school district announced last week.
Lupacchino teaches music at the high school and middle school. Landolfi is a teacher and math instructional coach at Bradley School.
The pair will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for Sept. 1, when the district’s teachers return to school for professional development activities.
According to the school district, Lupacchino and Landolfi were chosen to share the top honor from among a group from each of the district’s four schools, nominated by their peers for their excellence in teaching and extraordinary contributions to Derby’s students, families and educators.
“We are so fortunate that both Ms. Lupacchino and Mrs. Landolfi are a part of this family,” Derby Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Conway said in a prepared statement. “Their passion, relentless support for kids, love of teaching, learning, Derby and most importantly kids, is what you immediately notice and feel when you are around them.”
Jim Gildea, chairman of the Derby Board of Education, said that as a parent he’s seen the work of the two teachers in person.
“They both successfully build deep and personal relationships with the students they teach. They understand that the best way to teach and educate our children is to foster respectful and nurturing relationships with them and that that must come first. They clearly love what they do, and it shows,” Gildea said in a statement.
Donata Lupacchino
Derby High School Principal Jennifer Olson said Lupacchino is an outstanding educator who works as the music, band, and chorus instructor at both the high school and Derby Middle School.
“She develops strong personal relationships and special bonds with her students, and her program is like a family,” Olson said. “Ms. Lupacchino encourages students to find and develop their passion while building their confidence and capacity as individual musicians, composers, and vocalists. She differentiates her instruction and finds ways to have students help other students grow and learn. This is evident in the new ‘Band Buddies’ program. It matches students at DMS with a peer tutor from DHS.”
Lupacchino’s dedication allows the school band and choir to participate in community parades, award ceremonies, athletic events, pep rallies, and graduation. She’s also a key player in “Music In Our Schools” activities, Black History Month celebrations, along with annual band and choir concerts.
“This year she even invited her students from the Class of 2020 to play in our concert because they were unable to perform last year due to the pandemic,” Olson said. “That’s the type of commitment and dedication she shows to her students.”
Lupacchino also serves as the faculty advisor for the Tri‑M Music Honor Society and the On-board Crew, which helps new students transition successfully to high school through peer mentorship.
“Ms. Lupacchino is very deserving of this recognition and we are all very proud of her achievements,” Olson said.
Tracy Landolfi
In addition to being chosen as a district “teacher of the year,” Landolfi was also named teacher of the year at Bradley School, where she works.
She’s been teaching in Derby for 16 years, serving as a technology teacher, classroom teacher, and most recently, Bradley School’s math instructional coach. As a math coach, Landolfi helped transform math culture for all students and staff, culminating in Bradley School’s recognition in 2018 as a CSDE School of Distinction for growth in mathematics for all students, and high-needs students, according to a press release from the district.
In 2019, Dr. Miguel Cardona recognized Bradley School as the highest participating elementary school in the state on Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge.
“Tracy is always positive! She is willing to be a part of any committee and help any and every staff or student. If she doesn’t have the answer, then she will certainly figure out how to find it. Tracy has high expectations for her students and encourages them all to achieve their goals they have set. She leads by example, and her love of teaching is evident in the way she manages her classroom,” according to the district’s prepared statement.
Also …
In addition to honoring Lupacchino and Landolfi Sept. 1, Sharon Bette will be honored for being chosen Derby Middle School’s teacher of the year, and Candace Lebel will accept her designation at the Irving School’s teacher of the year.
“On behalf of the Derby Board of Education, we congratulate all of our teacher of the year candidates. Our students and school system are blessed to have such a remarkable group of teachers,” Gildea said.
