By Carissa Rutkauskas
As part of our annual stakeholder appreciation efforts, the UConn Early College Experience program proudly recognized the invaluable contributions of school counselors, teachers, and principals who support and champion UConn ECE at their high schools. In celebration of National School Counseling Week (February), Teacher Appreciation Week (May), and Principal Appreciation Week (May), we honored those who go above and beyond to ensure student success within the program. For the first time, we launched School Counselor Appreciation Week to spotlight both our Site Representatives and the broader counseling staff who guide students through course selection and enrollment in UConn ECE. During Teacher Appreciation Week—now in its second year—we celebrated instructors who bring UConn courses to life in high school classrooms with passion and dedication. Principal Appreciation Week, also newly introduced this year, acknowledged school leaders who create a supportive environment that allows the program to thrive. This year, we received an overwhelming 300+ nominations for instructors, 132 for school counselors, and 16 for principals—each submission filled with gratitude and admiration for these outstanding educators and leaders. Selected recipients—defined by receiving two or more nominations in the counselor and teacher categories— were awarded UConn ECE merchandise of their choice, a printed poster featuring heartfelt quotes from nominators, and recognition on our social media platforms. These recognitions underscore the collaborative spirit and dedication of educators and administrators who help shape meaningful academic opportunities for students through UConn ECE. Below are some of the more powerful quotes from nominators:
Principal Appreciation (Mr. Kuckel, Cromwell High School)
• Principal Kuckel’s consistent message to students, families, and staff is that dual enrollment courses help
students prepare for college and their future careers. He has increased our ECE student enrollment and
course offerings during his administration by adding five new courses.
– Principal Kuckel is always promoting awareness about the value and accessibility of these courses in
a variety of ways. He thinks about all of our students and understands the value for every student to
have college exposure in addition to earning credits. His availability, flexibility and unconditional
support is appreciated by our instructors, our students, and myself!
– Alicia Melillo, UConn ECE Site Representative, Cromwell High School
School Counselor Appreciation
• Danielle Jurkiewicz, Fairfield Warde High School
– Mrs. J, my school counselor, played a pivotal role in my success by helping me stay focused on my path
toward my early childhood education major at UConn. She worked with me to plan my senior
schedule, supported my decision to take the ECE course, and reassured me when I doubted myself—
and now I’m excelling in the class, grateful for her encouragement to follow my passion.
– Saylor, UConn ECE Student
• Janine Murdy, Woodland Regional High School
– Mrs. Murdy is a UConn alum who continually promotes ECE programs to our students. She starts
promoting these programs when we register students in 8th grade and continues to challenge students
to enroll in challenging courses throughout their high school years.
– Principal Mulligan, Woodland Regional High School
• Kate Kopylec, UConn ECE Site Representative; Lyman Hall High School
– Throughout the UConn ECE experience, Mrs. Kopylec has provided clear information on what
ECE classes are, deadlines and requirements for registering (also visiting all ECE classes to assist
in the registration process), and scholarship information. Her support has made my (and others)
ECE experience less stressful/overwhelming.
– Anonymous UConn ECE Student
Instructor Appreciation
• Monika Fryc-Gabrys, Woodland Regional High School, MATH 1131Q: Calculus I
– “Monika inspires her students daily. She advises the Math Team and has generated huge participation
in the Team… Recently she led a 14-hour math challenge at school and took students to a Jumanji
math challenge… Her students have given such positive feedback on the UConn ECE exit survey. She
has high standards and her students meet with great success. She continues to get letters from her
former students thanking her! She is a true gem!”
– Andrea Gaetano, Math Department Chairperson
• Mr. Dalidowitz, Crosby High School, SOCI 1001: Introduction to Sociology; HRTS 1007: Introduction to
Human Rights; & HRTS 2200: Introduction to Genocide Studies
– “My UConn ECE Instructor is awesome because they challenge us to think critically, push us
beyond high school expectations, and genuinely care about our success. Their passion for teaching
and real-world insights make learning both engaging and impactful!”
– Jasmine, UConn ECE Student
• Dr. Rabinsky-Ankrom, Robert E. Fitch High School, ASLN 1102: Elementary American Sign Language II
– “Dr. RA is a teacher every student wishes they had. She truly connects with each and every one of her
students and pushes us to be ourselves while also learning a language that brings people together… I
can confidently say that she has made a big impact on my life.”
– Anonymous UConn ECE Student
• Mrs. Norige, Torrington High School, SPSS 3230: Biotechnology- Science, Application, Impact,
Perception; BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I; & BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II
– “Mrs. Norige always promotes classes to students who are interested and has pushed to make
UConn courses available for all incoming interested students.”
– Anonymous UConn ECE Student
• Mr. Brewer, Bristol Central High School, PHYS 1201Q: General Physics I & PHYS 1202Q: General
Physics II
– “Mr. Brewer pours his heart out into teaching us physics and makes it extremely fun to learn about. He
spends countless hours making sure each and every student understands what they are doing and
enjoys their time in physics and is all around a fantastic teacher.”
– Amber, UConn ECE Student