Maya McFadden Photos
Grant and Lavar surprised with awards, and donuts.
Being attentive listeners, staying focused, and living by Augusta Lewis Troup School’s R.O.C.K. (respect, ownership, citizenship and knowledge) values are just a few reasons why educator Gyna Grant and third grader Lavar received Rising Star Awards at a surprise ceremony Wednesday morning.
Grant, a kindergarten teacher, and Lavar arrived at the 259 Edgewood Ave. neighborhood school an hour early Wednesday. Instead of heading right to their respective classrooms, they went to the school’s library.
And to each of their surprise, they were recognized by Troup’s staff and Educators for Excellence CT, who presented them with gift card prizes as part of their Rising Star Awards.
Before handing out the awards, Educators for Excellence organizer Rachel Kwon noted that the organization has visited 11 New Haven schools this month to present educators and students with recognition letters for their work this school year.
After Kwon listed off several positive traits Grant brings to the Troup team daily, Grant asked her colleagues to join her in accepting the award. The room of about 20 staffers stood up as Grant said, “I stand on all of your shoulders. I do what you all do everyday.”
Troup Principal Eugene Foreman said when he stepped into his role at the middle school, Grant welcomed him with open arms and offered to assist the leadership team in any way. She still does that to this day.
He noted that Grant is a stable veteran educator at Troup who builds great relationships with her students to the point where she often mentors the students as they move on to middle school. Her classroom also has become a safe and respected space for Foreman to send students to rather than in-school suspension. Grant encourages these students to work in her classroom by tutoring her kindergarteners.
After receiving her award, Grant recalled starting her education career in New Haven as a substitute teacher 19 years ago as a second career. It wasn’t until arriving at Troup 15 years ago that Grant considered becoming a kindergarten teacher. She is also a professor at the University of New Haven.
The award goes to Dr. Grant!
Third grader Lavar arrived at school Wednesday an hour early and pretty confused as to why. His mother Aryella kept the award a surprise, leading Lavar to wonder if he had done something recently to get in trouble.
The opposite was the case. Lavar received a roomful of applause, and a gift card prize, when he entered the library Wednesday. Possibly most exciting for Lavar were the several donuts he and the staff enjoyed before kickstarting the morning.
Foreman noted that when Lavar transferred to Troup in kindergarten, he struggled with many behavioral issues. This continued through his first- and second-grade years. But when Lavar began third grade this year, Foreman said, “He did a whole 180.”
He said now, while doing classroom observations, he notices how focused Lavar is on his classwork. While Lavar used to frequent Foreman’s office for his constant behavioral outbursts, he now just fits in a visit or two to request snacks from Foreman.
Kwon noted Wednesday that Lavar has shown significant growth in nearly all areas this year, like math, and that he has stepped up to being a leader.
Both Grant and Lavar were nominated by their school community for the awards.
Lavar’s third-grade teacher Gina Raucci Goulart said Lavar has really found his strengths this year, allowing him to better focus on his class work and always respect his teachers. “He always wants to help and tries so hard. He’s come such a long way from being pulled out of class to now always being the first one to raise his hand when I say, ‘Who wants to – ’ for any classroom job.”
His mom Aryella told the Independent that she is so grateful she did not follow through on removing Lavar from Troup last year, as she had considered. “It just took the right community of teachers and admin to see that his behavioral issues are different from his intellect,” she said.
She thanked the school staff for not missing a beat with Lavar’s needs.
She recalled Lavar’s lack of stable learning in kindergarten due to the Covid pandemic and lack of support offered at his previous school before transferring to Troup.
“He needed more of a community and not just school, and we have that here,” Aryella concluded. “Kids need motivation as well and I believe this is going to encourage him to go above and beyond going forward.”
Lavar questions why he had to come to school early Wednesday ...
... and finds out he's a "rising star."
Lavar helps his teacher pick donuts to deliver to school staff.
Aryella snaps a pic of her son with key supporter, Principal Foreman.