Congratulations wished to Derby's 2019 Teacher of the Year

 Teacher of the Year Maureen Zahara

DERBY - Bradley School is proud to announce  Maureen Zahara is the 2019 Derby Public School District Teacher of the Year. 

Zahara teaches all the general music classes, leads the grades 3-4-5 Bradley School Chorus, the grades 4-5 Beginner and Advanced Bands, and runs individual and small group instrumental lessons for students. 

Zahara wants the music program to be the best in the state and is very involved with her colleagues to organize and run the All-City performances in the spring. 
She has been a member of the Bradley School Leadership Team and is musical director and emcee for its monthly pep rallies.

Each year Zahara nominates a fifth grade student to receive the Connecticut Association of Schools Celebration of the Arts in Music and attends the event with the student and his or her family. 
Zahara and her Unified Arts colleagues helped paint and plant the community garden beds in anticipation of the students participating in the Farmer’s Market in the fall. 
Zahara applies for various grants each and every year to be able to get free musical instruments for students to use. 
Many of the instruments, including all the classroom guitars and ukuleles, are grant-funded through her efforts.
Bradley School Principal Mario Ciccarini said, “Maureen Zahara epitomizes everything you would want in a Teacher of the Year. She has a passion for what she does, instills this in her students through meaningful and engaging lesson planning and activities, and is an advocate for the arts throughout the entire school district, not just Bradley School.”

Board of Education Chairman Jim Gildea said, “Mrs. Zahara is an amazing teacher who is full of energy and enthusiasm. She has played a pivotal role in the development of our music program and really helped take it to new heights. 
"As a parent, I have seen up close the impact she has on the children she interacts with each and every day. She is loved and respected.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Conway said,“This recognition is a small testimony to the incredible experience Mrs. Zahara provides for her students every day and to all others fortunate enough to have attended a performance by her students.”

The District also announces building-level Teachers of the Year: Ivory Urban at Irving School; James Rosa at Derby Middle School; and Ryan Adams at Derby High School. 
All of these deserving staff members will be celebrated at the Derby Schools' 2018 Convocation Aug. 23.

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.