Three East Hartford Public Schools teachers and a districtwide wellness program will be receiving recognitions at the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) awards reception and conference next month.
East Hartford High School’s Gianna Ehrlich has been named High School Health Teacher of the Year, East Hartford Middle School’s Ricardo Gibson has been named Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and Goodwin Elementary School’s Ryan Jalbert has been named Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by this statewide organization. They are now eligible to apply for national teacher of the year awards from SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America.
EHPS K-12 Supervisor of Health & Physical Education Tracy Stefano said, “I’m so proud of the quality health and physical education programming and dedication to our students that these educators provide. They understand the importance of health and physical education when it comes to educating the whole child and they have been instrumental in our work toward that goal.”
The district’s ongoing work around WSCC (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) is also being recognized by CTAHPERD as an Outstanding Program. Members of the WSCC team will be invited to the CTAHPERD conference to receive the award and display information about the program for other members of the organization to view. In Fall of 2023, in partnership with UConn, our district restructured to align with the WSCC model, which emphasizes the connection between student health and academic achievement. At the district and school level, teams are creating action plans in order to address student well-being, including physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health.
“Our WSCC work has taught us that we all play a role when it comes to educating the whole child. Our teams have worked hard to build upon our past successes, create sustainable plans for the future, and to coordinate with the Town of East Hartford in order to meet the needs of all students in our community,” said Stefano.
Learn more about these award recipients below.
Gianna Ehrlich - High School Health Teacher of the Year
Ms. Ehrlich has been an educator in East Hartford Public Schools since August of 2016, teaching Health Education at both the elementary and secondary levels. She is known for her in-depth curriculum knowledge and ability to work collaboratively and successfully with students, parents, staff and the East Hartford community.
Ms. Ehrlich serves on the District Health and Physical Education Curriculum Team that is responsible for writing and revising curriculum, developing assessments, assessment timelines, rubrics, and data reporting expectations. She has planned, developed and facilitated professional development workshops for members of her department as well as EHPS staff. She has also presented skills-based health education sessions at CTAHPERD’s annual conference, Hamden’s Election Day HPE Conference and to graduate students in SCSU’s School Health Education program. Due to her successful work in developing and implementing skills-based health education, Ms. Ehrlich was selected to serve on Connecticut’s Health Education Cadre, where she continues to facilitate professional development workshops and assist other districts in developing their K-12 health education curriculum.
Ricardo Gibson - Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
For the past fourteen years, Mr. Gibson has excelled in his position as a comprehensive Health and Physical Education teacher for the districts of Waterbury and East Hartford Public Schools. He is known for his passion, enthusiasm and growth mindset. He has a unique way of developing personal and meaningful connections and relationships with students, families and staff.
Mr. Gibson serves on the EHPS secondary Health and Physical Education Curriculum Writing Team, which rolled out a revised middle school Physical Education curriculum this year. Mr. Gibson and the team’s priority is to build a program that is inclusive to all students, incorporates student choice and voice, and provides meaningful and authentic learning experiences that increase student engagement and fosters a love of lifetime fitness and physical activity. Mr. Gibson has volunteered to serve on numerous school committees, such as the Equity & Diversity Team, PBIS, and the School Governance Council. He was instrumental in developing the PreK-8 Intramural Program in Waterbury and has contributed to the development of an Elementary Intramural Program in East Hartford that is planned for this school year.
Ryan Jalbert - Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Since 2011, Mr. Jalbert has excelled in his position as a physical education teacher for the districts of Clinton, Hartford and East Hartford Public Schools. He is known for delivering meaningful and relevant instructional experiences that are highly engaging and meet the diverse needs of all learners, including those with disabilities. He continues to explore and implement a variety of instructional strategies for all students to find success and has effectively used technology, visual aids, student choice and modified equipment to increase the academic and behavioral success of students.
Mr. Jalbert has acted in the capacity as an instructional coach, by working with other colleagues in his department, providing feedback, suggestions and other ideas to help them improve their instructional practice. He has also planned, developed and facilitated professional development workshops for members of his department, and serves on the District Health and Physical Education Curriculum Team. Mr. Jalbert has coordinated several health and physical activity programs and events, such as the Goodwin’s Health Fair, Safety Day, Get Outside to Play for Mental Health, Field Day and other parent programs and activities. He is a member of the District WSCC Team (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child), serves on the Goodwin WSCC Team and Goodwin’s PBIS committee.
"Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC)” – Outstanding Program
The East Hartford District WSCC Team is committed to ensuring the health and success of students by nurturing the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the entire school community. In the Fall of 2023, the team restructured to align with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, which recognizes that student health involves multiple dimensions, including physical, emotional, and social well-being.
In collaboration with UCONN, the team identified key goals aligned with six WSCC components: Employee Wellness, Physical Education & Activity, Family Engagement, Health Services, Social & Emotional Climate, and Nutrition. These efforts align with the district's strategic plan and state priorities, with an emphasis on equity and capacity building.
The team presented the model to district leadership, school administrators, and staff, highlighting how it aligns with the district's vision. Each school created its own WSCC team to address specific needs and implement action plans starting in the Fall of 2024.
The WSCC model has enhanced collaboration between schools, the Board of Education, and community partners, resulting in initiatives like "Let’s Play East Hartford," developed with the Parks & Recreation Department, and partnerships with local health and social services to provide comprehensive support for students, families, and staff.