Greenwich Public Schools Announces First 'Difference Makers' Of 2026-27 School Year

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones this week announced the return of the "Difference Makers" employee recognition program for a third consecutive school year, revealing the first honorees of the 2026-2027 school year.

The program recognizes staff members who have made an impact on the lives of others inside and outside the classroom. The district honors one from each school and one from each district department who are considered "unsung heroes."

"In the past two years, we have honored 683 exceptional employees for making a difference in the lives of our students, their co-workers, and the entire Greenwich community," Jones said in a news release. "We invite everyone to rejoice at what our incredible staff has to offer with this program, now in its third year."

The monthly award is presented to full- or part-time employees whose commitment and humanitarian spirit have led to exceptional and lasting contributions to the school community. Those contributions may include a life-changing event, extraordinary long-term efforts or making a difference in the lives of others every day.

Principals and district senior leadership formally nominate honorees.

The full history of the employee recognition program is available on the Greenwich Public Schools website.

2026-2027 Difference Makers, October 2026

• Shirin Assarpour, third grade teacher, IS at Dundee
• Grayson Avesato, building substitute, Glenville
• Chris DiAngelo, tech support manager, Central Office
• Dominick Franco, construction foreman, Central Office (nominated by Old Greenwich School)
  
• Alyssa Gaiser, social worker, Greenwich HS
• Victor Garcia, IT support technician, Eastern MS
• Emily Lanzarone, building substitute, Parkway
• Madison Liberatore, Special Ed. teacher, North Street
• Leslie Livingston-Alfano, media assistant, Cos Cob
• Dawn McAuley, literacy specialist, Julian Curtiss
• Claribel Michilena, assistant principal, Julian Curtiss
• Ganesh Nair, senior network specialist, Central Office
• Madilyn Perez, Special Ed. teacher, North Mianus
• Benjamin Quesnel, art teacher, Greenwich HS
• Johnny Quezada, Special Ed. teacher, New Lebanon
• Kim Robinson, administrative assistant, Central MS
• Catherine (Cate) Shores, art teacher, Hamilton Avenue
• Lynn Sterner, literacy specialist, Riverside
• Jonathan Supranowitz, Dir. of Comm, Central Office
• Diana Willie, social studies teacher, Western MS