Beth Smith & Fred Stanek
SEYMOUR — The Seymour Board of Education recently honored teacher and coach Cathy Federowicz and former school board member Fred Stanek.
Stanek served on the school board for 32 years until last year when he was elected to the Board of Selectmen.
It was Stanek’s three decades of service to Seymour’s students that caught the eye of the Connecticut Association of Schools, who chose Stanek as winner of the 2022 Distinguished Friend of Education Award.
Stanek, an attorney, was one of 17 other nominees from across Connecticut school districts up for the award. Several Seymour educators submitted letters to CAS, nominating Stanek. According to CAS Awards and Recognition Committee Chairwoman Tiffany Caouette, Stanek embodies the qualities CAS members seek when it annually hands out its highest award.
The CAS award is given to a person outside the field of education who has devoted themselves to improving education opportunities and outcomes for students.
Associate Superintendent of Schools Vonda Tencza lauded Stanek for his dedication and devotion to Seymour’s children during the Board of Education’s April 4 meeting.
“Fred Stanek doesn’t speak a lot, but when he does, people listen,” Tencza said. “He is a hallmark of leadership in our district.”
Some of Stanek’s accomplishments include helping a new middle school and high school expansion get built; creating the school board’s annual awards program that highlight outstanding educators and community members, and serving as a major advocate for arts and music programs in the schools.
Stanek most recently created a memorial scholarship in honor of his late wife, former Selectwoman Karen Stanek, who was a teacher here for 35 years. Stanek first learned he’d been chosen for the CAS award the same morning — March 8 — that his beloved wife passed away three years ago.
“It was a very tough morning for me, and I knew Karen was looking out for me,” Stanek said. “I’m just about speechless, and am humbled and honored by this award. Karen and I very much value education. And borrowing a quote from Abraham Lincoln, ‘Upon the subject of education… I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged.’”
Stanek received the award in person by CAS member Beth Smith, Shelton High School’s former headmaster.
Also feted at the board’s April 4 meeting was longtime SHS teacher and head volleyball coach Cathy Federowicz, who was recently named Connecticut Volleyball Coach of the Year. Federowicz is also in the running as a semi-finalist for the national title. She has worked at SHS for nearly 25 years as both a coach and teacher.
SHS Principal Jim Freund said Federowicz is one of a kind.
“She sets high standards, she is tough, she is one of our best teachers, and students come in early each day just to talk to and spend time with her,” Freund said.
Federowicz said she’s achieved the level of success with her state championship volleyball team “by surrounding myself with really good people” over the years, and thanked her family, her school family, students and parents for their support.
