Superintendent Announces the Return of the GPS Difference Makers

Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the return of  the “Difference Makers” for the third straight school year by revealing today the first honorees of the 2026-2027 school year.

Difference Maker award recipients are staff members who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others inside and outside of our classrooms. GPS honors one from each school and one from each district department that are considered “unsung heroes.”

“In the past two years, we have honored 683 exceptional employees for making a difference in the lives of our students, their co-workers, and the entire Greenwich community,” Dr. Jones said. “We invite everyone to rejoice at what our incredible staff has to offer with this program, now in its third year.”

The Greenwich Public Schools “Difference Maker” award is presented monthly to full or part-time employees who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the GPS community through one life-changing event, extraordinary long-lasting efforts, or making a difference in the lives of others every single day. Honorees are officially nominated by principals and district senior leadership.

You are encouraged to review the full history of the Difference Maker employee recognition program on the Greenwich Public School’s website.

2026-2027 Difference Makers
October 2026

• Shirin Assarpour, third grade teacher, IS at Dundee
• Grayson Avesato, building substitute, Glenville
• Chris DiAngelo, tech support manager, Central Office
• Dominick Franco*, construction foreman, Central Office
• Alyssa Gaiser, social worker, Greenwich HS
• Victor Garcia, IT support technician, Eastern MS
• Emily Lanzarone, building substitute, Parkway
• Madison Liberatore, Special Ed. teacher, North Street
• Leslie Livingston-Alfano, media assistant, Cos Cob
• Dawn McAuley, literacy specialist, Julian Curtiss
• Claribel Michilena, assistant principal, Julian Curtiss
• Ganesh Nair, senior network specialist, Central Office
• Madilyn Perez, Special Ed. teacher, North Mianus
• Benjamin Quesnel, art teacher, Greenwich HS
• Johnny Quezada, Special Ed. teacher, New Lebanon
• Kim Robinson, administrative assistant, Central MS
• Catherine (Cate) Shores, art teacher, Hamilton Avenue
• Lynn Sterner, literacy specialist, Riverside
• Jonathan Supranowitz, Dir. of Comm, Central Office
• Diana Willie, social studies teacher, Western MS

* nominated by Old Greenwich School