There are 34 Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford and about 1,000 teachers serve its students. Each year, the Light of Christ teaching award is earned by only ten teachers. For two consecutive years, a teacher at St. Matthew School has been recognized and we are very proud!

2023

St. Matthew School is proud to announce that Mrs. MaryEllen Schigas, Middle School Religion and Math Teacher, has been awarded the prestigious Light of Christ award from the Center for Catholic Education and Formation at the Archdiocese of Hartford. In 2023, The Light of Christ award was given to only ten teachers across Catholic Schools in Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven counties. It recognizes the outstanding dedication and performance that Mrs. Schigas exemplifies each day as an important member of the school community.

MaryEllen is a product of local Catholic Schools, starting with the former St. Stanislaus School, then St. Paul Catholic High School, and finally Fairfield University. She earned a master’s degree in education and has been a teacher for over 30 years, almost 20 of those at St. Matthew School. In addition, she completed a four-year program in advanced biblical studies at the Archdiocesan Catholic Biblical School at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. She is an active parishioner of St. Stanislaus, Bristol.

Mrs. Schigas humbly shares that “I am both honored and overwhelmed to have been chosen to receive this distinguished award. I learned at a very early age that our relationship with God is essential in life and being able to tie that into education is what drew me to teach in a Catholic School. Teaching in a Catholic School is so much more than a career; it is a calling, a vocation. It is a joy to work with the wonderful children and families of St. Matthew School. I certainly owe gratitude to our extremely supportive Principal, Dr. Liz Plasky, and the amazing teachers with whom I am blessed to work.”

In addition to the recognition of her hard work comes a grant for $500 which will be used to enhance the students’ learning experience in her classroom and is generously funded by the Hartford Bishops Foundation.

Dr. Liz Plasky, Principal of St. Matthew School, shares in the celebration. “We are so very proud of Mrs. Schigas for receiving this award as she serves as an example to our students and staff alike and truly lives her life each day to teach as Jesus did.”

 

Mrs. Schigas celebrates her birthday only once every four years on leap day! Pictured here is her middle school team along with Dr. Plasky.

 

Mrs. Dombroski's students were proud to celebrate her well-earned recognition in teaching!

2024

St. Matthew School is proud to announce a Light of Christ award winner for the second consecutive year. This is a prestigious award bestowed upon only ten teachers in the Archdiocese of Hartford annually who serve as a role model for students, witness to Jesus, dedicated educator, and demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning. This year, Mrs. Debbie Dombroski, an exceptional and beloved teacher at St. Matthew School has earned the honor.

Mrs. Dombroski began her career 34 years ago at the former Our Lady of Mercy School, Plainville and Holy Cross/St. John Paul II School, New Britain as a second grade teacher. In 2015, Dombroski shared that she was ‘promoted’ to third grade at St. Matthew School, Forestville. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Central Connecticut State University and is a certified teacher. A devoted Parishioner of St. Matthew, Dombroski describes the school and parish community as family. She even chose to send her daughters to St. Matthew School and is teaching third grade in the same classroom where they were third grade students themselves.

Debbie reflected on her time as a teacher so far and shared a story that captures the loving environment she fosters in her classroom. Years back, she received a call from Southington High School, notifying her that she was being honored by a former student. The top ten graduates were able to invite their most influential teacher to a luncheon. This student was the first to choose an elementary teacher. Humbly attending the event, Dombroski bumped into the Assistant Principal who also happened to be one of her former students and shared fond memories.

Being honored as a Light of Christ recipient, she shared that “I am very honored to receive an award like this because I know how special it is. There are so many deserving teachers. To be singled out is an honor!”

In addition to the recognition of her hard work comes a grant for $500 which will be used to enhance the students’ learning experience in her classroom and is generously funded by the Hartford Bishops Foundation.

The loving community fostered in Debbie’s classroom is one that is intentional. She creates a strong sense of belonging among the students, a hallmark of Catholic education. Through special activities such as student of the week where children recognize and celebrate one another, and pen pals with her daughter’s students across the country, students are an important part of the classroom family. This feeling is clearly felt by the children and families who express their appreciation during the current school year and for years to come. Dombroski shares that “St. Matthew School is a family atmosphere. When my children went here I felt it, and I feel it even more now. The families are so kind and generous. The parents care and appreciate what you do.”

Dr. Liz Plasky, Principal, proudly shared that “we are blessed to have Mrs. Dombroski as a member of our faculty. We are grateful for her dedication and commitment to sharing her time and talents with our students. Mrs. Dombroski makes a significant impact on the growth and learning experience of our students.”

 

 

Mrs. Danielle Persichetti is our Eighth Grade Homeroom Teacher and passionate about the subjects she teaches: Science and Social Studies. Danielle is a proud graduate of St. Matthew School herself and has chosen an SMS education for her own children. Recently, Mrs. Persichetti was presented with a recognition for fifteen years of dedicated service to St. Matthew School. We're blessed to have Danielle as one of our exceptional teachers!

Archbishop Blair presented Mrs. Persichetti with a recognition at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.