Originally published in TEACH Magazine, January/February 2025 Issue
By Kelly Rossetti and Amber Venoutsos
Some of the most remarkable experiences of being an educator include watching students grow as individuals, helping them open their eyes to new ideas, and witnessing their excitement around learning. But as elementary teachers at Hazardville Memorial School in Enfield, CT, we are also all too familiar with the difficult, sometimes heartbreaking moments experienced by our students, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The many pressures of academic demands and school expectations can be an overwhelming experience for many students, not to mention the struggles they may be dealing with outside of the classroom. Often, the first indicator that something is off is a decline in academic performance. With disinterest in schoolwork and aggressive behavior on the rise at our school, we decided to get creative and take action.
Kelly Rossetti has been a second-grade teacher at Hazardville Memorial School in Enfield, CT, for 11 years and was selected as a Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educator, Class of 2024.
Amber Venoutsos has taught first and second grade in Enfield, CT, for 17 years and was recognized as Enfield’s Teacher of the Year and Semi-Finalist for Connecticut State Teacher of the Year in 2023.
