Michael P. Alfano will be the next dean of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education. He comes to us from the role of dean, School of Education and Professional Studies, at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in New Britain.

The first time in my career that I received in-depth training in how to teach gifted students correctly was at a training called “Confratute” at the University of Connecticut. It was amazingly motivational and thoroughly informative, and I returned to my school district raring to get started, as correctly as possible.

Shaun Dougherty, a UConn professor of education and public policy, said the ingredients for school-age growth are present in Rocky Hill — an increasing number of households, above-average household income, home prices at the median or slightly above it, yet not high enough to discourage people from moving in.

Joseph J. Masi was selected by the Connecticut Association of Schools as the 2018 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. In addition, he was chosen to be Connecticut’s candidate for the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

With the departure of President Will Arvelo from Great Bay Community College (GBCC) to become Economic Development Director for the State of New Hampshire, the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) board of trustees has approved the appointment of Dr. Susan Huard as interim president of GBCC while the college conducts a search for a successor to Arvelo. Huard is currently president of Manchester Community College, also part of the CCSNH, and will remain in that position, temporarily dividing her time between the two colleges.

Bridget Carnemolla, the head of the Watertown schools since 2014, has been appointed as the new school superintendent for Avon. The board of education appointed her unanimously Tuesday night. Carnemolla is expected to start in Avon in March, taking the place of Gary Mala, who left in late August

After 31 seasons coaching the UConn softball team (1983-2014) and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament, Karen Mullins took her place among the sport’s elite when she was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Dec. 8.

David Erwin served as a superintendent in five state school districts during the past 23 years of his career. He became assistant superintendent in the Clinton school district in 1991 and was promoted to superintendent in 1995. He then became Canton superintendent in 1998, Montville superintendent in 1999, Avon superintendent in 2009 and Berlin superintendent in 2010.

Eleven national titles later, Auriemma and Dailey are in their 33rd season at the helm of the program they’ve built into a dynasty. On Tuesday, UConn will face Oklahoma in the Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena as Auriemma bids for his 1,000th career victory.

Drs. Gabriel and Woulfin authored Making Teacher Evaluation Work, a guide for literacy teachers and leaders (Heinemann).