Jean A. Wihbey introduced herself to Polk State College faculty, staff, students and the community with a simple statement: “We are here in an enterprise that changes people’s lives.”

“While constructs of equity and adequacy are realities we face everyday,” Nathan Quesnel responded, “I am disappointed and puzzled by the characterization of East Hartford Public Schools and teachers made by Secretary DeVos.”

The West Hartford Education Association named Luis Ramirez, a social worker at Smith STEM school for the past six years, the teacher of the year during a recognition dinner.

Longtime city educator and Bulkeley High School Principal Gayle Allen-Greene said Thursday that she is retiring after 37 years in the Hartford public schools.

Armed with a new plan about how to make New Haven “the City That Reads,” Mayor Toni Harp is putting a call out to big-buck not-for-profits to help pay the freight.

Harp and leaders of a 36-member blue ribbon panel released the plan — a report on how to bring all students to grade-level reading and make all citizens more literate — at a Wednesday afternoon press conference at City Hall.

Four-time Neag School alumnus Miguel A. Cardona ’01 MA, ’04 6th Year, ’11 Ed.D., ’12 ELP is the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning at Meriden Public Schools in Meriden, Conn. Here, he takes part in the Neag School’s “10 Questions” series.

The principal of East Granby High School has been named to head Avon High School, Superintendent of Schools Gary Mala said this week. David Peling was appointed principal of the high school by the board of education when it met this week. Peling will start July 1.

In the bowels of Gampel Pavilion, down a hallway plastered with smiling NBA draft picks, Jim Penders’ corner office sits as a shrine to UConn baseball’s rich yet relatively recent history as a star-making program in its own right.

The following excerpt — which features Neag School Class of 2017 music education major Jamie Wisset — originally appeared on UConn Today as part of a larger piece on Commencement 2017.

Luis Ramirez, who has been a social worker at Smith STEM School since 2010, said that he’s “humbled and honored” to be a Teacher of the Year finalist.