Charbonneau is South Windsor Schools' Support Employee of the Year

Sandra Charbonneau’s roots in the South Windsor education system run deep.

Indeed, her mother taught in South Windsor schools for over 30 years. What’s more, Charbonneau and her husband are both products of the town’s schools, with Charbonneau having graduated from South Windsor high in 1979.

Her children have also gone through the school system.

Charbonneau returned to South Windsor to become a part of the very education system of which she was a product, having served as a reading paraprofessional for 11 years.

Now at Orchard Hill Elementary School, Charbonneau was named South Windsor Support Staff Employee of the Year last month.

“I was very surprised and at the same time really honored,” Charbonneau said in a telephone interview Monday.

Charbonneau assists students from kindergarten through 5th grade with reading lessons.

She said among her favorite things to do is work with English Language Learners - students for whom English is a secondary language. One of the most gratifying things for Charbonneau is to see those students, many of whom are from Korea or China, who start the year struggling with English end the year with a firm grasp of the language.

“It’s just so exciting to watch - their willingness and eagerness to learn,” she said. “I really love what I do.”

As for the award, Charbonneau said that it was flattering to receive it in light of all the talented and hardworking paraprofessionals in South Windsor.

“I am really grateful,” she said. “I see so many wonderful paraprofessionals. I know how hard they work and everyone is deserving.”

In addition, she also did not want to overstate her role as a paraprofessional, crediting the teachers and administration - notably Principal Mike Totora, reading consultant Cathi Ober and literacy specialist Liz Lamantagne - with whom she works with much of the success in the school system.

“The teachers do most of the work,” she said. “I just support them.”