Amit Savkar, who started working at UConn in 2007, was in charge of the math department’s online programs in 2013 when he was tasked with figuring out what was leading to high rates of failures and withdrawals in first-year math courses. He looked into things like how students’ math skills are assessed, and how pupils are placed in basic to advanced courses.

In the wake of the pandemic, schools have pivoted to online learning. Rachael Gabriel, associate professor of literacy education and director of Neag School of Education’s Reading and Language Arts Center, knew she wanted to help the education community amid this major shift.

Amanda Slavin is the founder and CEO of the brand consulting firm CatalystCreativ, which has worked with global brands like Coca-Cola and Google. In her new book, The Seventh Level, she unpacks her Seventh Level Framework, which helps companies connect more authentically and meaningfully with their employees, especially in a remote world.

Former UConn forward Batouly Camara’s vast off-court contributions were recognized Sunday night when she was named one of seven recipients of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award during the ESPYs.
The award honors the efforts of young people who use sports for good in their communities. Camara, who just completed her redshirt senior season in Storrs and earned her master’s degree in sports management, started her own nonprofit (Women and Kids Empowerment or W.A.K.E.) in 2017 to empower girls and women in the U.S. and across the globe.

“I have worked hard to be a leader with the knowledge, skills and disposition to meet the complex issues of schools today. In my role as the instructional leader at the district level, I hold firm to my vision and conviction to lead this high performing school district that embraces the belief set that all students deserve an equitable educational experience,” said Erin Murray, assistant superintendent for Teaching and Learning for Simsbury Public Schools.

“The children they serve, have simply never been given a fair shot at obtaining the resources needed to achieve the common outcome goals with their peers in the surrounding districts. As these districts have become increasingly Latinx, they have become even less able to meet their students’ needs and compete with neighboring districts for high-quality teachers and staff, “ wrote Baker and Robert Cotto, Jr., a Ph.D. student at UConn’s Neag School of Education and former school board member in Hartford.

Rebecca Aldred, a co-assistant principal at Ellington High School, is the new principal of Windsor Locks High School, Superintendent of Schools Shawn Parkhurst announced. The Board of Education approved the hiring at a meeting Thursday. Aldred is slated to begin the job July 1.

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who face challenges that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom, today announced the appointment of Diane Myers, Ph.D. to senior vice president, special education-behavior. In this role, Myers is responsible for leading the company’s pedagogical approach to behavior practices.

King Philip Principal Joy Wright has been named “Middle School Principal of the Year” for 2020 by the Connecticut Association of Superintendents (CAS), selected from among all of the middle schools in the state.

Our hearts ache. George Floyd’s life matters. Breonna Taylor’s life matters. Ahmaud Arbery’s life matters. Black lives matter.