(HARTFORD, CT) – Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced that Lisa Atkinson, a paraeducator at Leonard J. Tyl Middle School in Montville, has been named Connecticut’s 2027 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year.
A 21-year veteran paraeducator of Montville Public Schools, Atkinson began her career in 2005 in the RISE program at Mohegan Elementary School. After four years, she transferred to Oakdale Elementary School, where she worked with students across varying grade levels. In 2015, she rejoined the RISE program at Leonard J. Tyl Middle School, where she continues to support students with diverse learning needs.
“Paraeducators play a crucial role in the lives of our students, offering unwavering support that is essential to their growth and success,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “For more than two decades, Lisa Atkinson has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the students and families of Montville. Her dedication to helping every student feel included, supported, and capable of success is an inspiration. I congratulate Lisa on this well-deserved honor and thank paraeducators across Connecticut for the difference they make in our schools every day.”
“Lisa Atkinson is an extraordinary example of the meaningful impact paraeducators have on students and school communities,” Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz said. “For 21 years, she has helped students overcome challenges, build relationships, and find their place in the classroom. Her commitment to making sure students of all abilities have opportunities to participate, learn, and grow speaks to the important role paraeducators play in our public schools. Congratulations to Lisa on this tremendous recognition.”
“Lisa Atkinson exemplifies the extraordinary impact paraeducators have on the lives of students each and every day,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “Lisa understands that every student brings unique strengths, abilities, and needs to the classroom, and she approaches her work with the compassion, creativity, and personal attention that make a meaningful difference. Whether helping students find their voice, develop greater independence, or form lasting connections with their peers, she creates opportunities for them to grow and succeed. As we continue Connecticut’s mission to empower every learner’s journey, Lisa reminds us of the essential role paraeducators play in helping students discover what they are capable of achieving. We are proud to recognize her with this well-deserved honor.”
At Leonard J. Tyl Middle School, Atkinson builds bridges among students, general educators, and families to create a cohesive team that benefits each student she supports. She works closely with speech-language pathologists to model the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, fostering student communication, and collaborates with physical therapy professionals to help students better navigate their school environment.
Atkinson is also dedicated to promoting inclusion through her active participation in the Tyl Buddies program, which pairs neurotypical peers with students with disabilities to build meaningful social interactions and connections.
Raised in East Lyme and educated in East Lyme Public Schools, Atkinson first discovered her passion for working with children while employed at daycare centers. After becoming a mother, she began volunteering in her children’s elementary school classrooms before transitioning into a substitute paraeducator role.
Tyl Middle School Principal Gregory Gwudz, said, “Paraeducators serve such a valuable role in our schools, helping to ensure students are safe, supported, and connected. What sets Lisa apart is her unwavering commitment to the whole child. She removes barriers and sets out to make sure there are no limitations to her students' success. She is truly one of a kind, and I can speak for our entire school community when I say we are lucky to work alongside her.”
Montville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diane Vumback said, “We are incredibly proud to see Lisa Atkinson recognized as Connecticut’s 2027 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year. This honor reflects the extraordinary love, passion, and dedication Lisa brings to supporting Montville’s students. Her work goes far beyond the classroom; she builds meaningful, lasting connections with students that continue throughout their school years and often well beyond graduation. The relationships she nurtures, the trust she builds, and her belief in each student’s potential speak to the very best of what it means to be a paraeducator. We are fortunate to have someone who makes such a profound and lasting difference in the lives of our students as part of the Montville Public Schools family. This recognition is so well deserved, and I am truly delighted to see her impact celebrated at the state level.”
In March 2013, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council renamed the Connecticut Paraeducator of the Year Award to the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a special education paraeducator who lost her life during the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program recognizes one paraeducator who has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in their role, thereby earning the respect and admiration of students, teachers, administrators, coworkers, and parents. Paraeducators assistcertified teachers in the classroom and play an integral role in developing students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.