PLTI grad brings international art to Hartford

If you're in Hartford in December, stop by the Legislative Office Building and check out the international artwork that will be on display thanks to Miguel Barreto, a 2012 Danbury PLTI graduate from Bethel.

Miguel is director of operations for Creative Connections, a nonprofit cultural exchange organization that currently connects about 100 classrooms with partners in more than 29 countries. Some of the artwork produced in these classrooms will go on display at the LOB,where it will be seen by legislators, their staff, and the public. Congratulations, Miguel!

Directions to the LOB

Helping her fellow Danbury parents

When Danbury High School held a workshop to help parents of English language learners get acquainted with school rules, the grading system, and everything else they needed to know to help their children succeed, Danbury PLTI alum Maryangela Amendola was there to help.

As the Danbury News Times described it:

High school parent Maryangela Amendola spoke Spanish and English as she told parents about the School Governance Council, a group of parents, community members and educators who advise the principal on improving the school. She explained that the state required the council be established because the high school's test scores were not adequate.

 Way to go, Maryangela.

Kathy Thompson shares her story

Kathy Thompson, a graduate of the Waterbury Parents Supporting Educational Excellence (Parents SEE), recently wrote an article for the National Center for Learning Disabilities website on her struggle to get her son Jeffrey's reading disability diagnosed and treated. The headline of her article says it all: "Parent Determination Leads to Son's Success with Assistive Technology." Here, she's pictured with Gov. Dannel Malloy, who met with Jeffrey last year and gave encouragement and inspiration by describing his own battles with dyslexia. Kathy has also served on the state Special Education Advisory Council and the African-American Affairs Commission.