Staff Directory
Francie Sierra-Re
Assistant Principal
Mrs. Sierra-Re has been a dedicated educator in the Hartford Public Schools for over thirty years. She received her undergraduate and graduate degree from Central Connecticut State University, and her Administrative Certificate from Sacred Heart University. She has served the district in both neighborhood and magnet schools, as a special education teacher, facilitator, Student Support Coach and interventionist. Ms. Sierra-Re has made significant contributions to the schools and the district by providing school based professional learning, district-wide professional learning, redesigning and implementing a school wide Gifted and Talented and Enrichment Program. Ms. Sierra-Re has participated in the Confratute Conference on Gifted/Talented Education at the University of Connecticut. After presenting at the National Magnet Schools of America Conference, she was recruited to assist schools in Dallas and Miami in designing enrichment programs in both districts. Ms. Sierra-Re is well versed on Universal Design for Learning, tiered differentiation, academic optimism, research based instructional practices, data driven practices, marketing and recruitment. She utilized her diverse skills to increase recruitment and double enrollment at her former assignment.
Maria Torres
Executive Assistant
Maria Torres, Executive Assistant at Renzulli, was born and raised in Hartford, CT and graduated from Hartford Public Schools. She earned an Associate of Science degree in Business Management, summa cum laude, from Capital Community College; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematical Statistics, cum laude, from Central Connecticut State University, and is currently working on her Master of Science degree in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University. She has been an integral member of the Renzulli Academy team for many years, from the inception of the program.
Antonio Ruiz
Middle School Mathematics
Mr. Ruiz teaches middle school math at Renzulli. He holds a Bachelors degree in math and Spanish from the University of Connecticut, and Masters from Edinburgh University in Scotland. He has taught 10 years in Japan along with 12 years at Hartford Public Schools, and also teaches at Central Connecticut State University. He is Renzulli Academy's Teacher of the Tear for the 2020-2021 school year. The Math Department at Renzulli Academy is aligned to the Common Core Mathematics Standards but puts emphasis on conceptual understanding to achieve mathematical proficiency and application.
Sarah Cheney
Middle School ELA
sarah.cheney@hartfordschools.org
Mrs. Cheney teaches middle school English/Language Arts at Renzulli. She grew up in Hartford and is a proud Owl graduate of Hartford High School. She has been teaching at Renzulli Academy since 2013. Mrs. Cheney graduated from UCONN with an English major and earned her Masters in Teaching from CCSU. She attends Confratute, the gifted education conference founded and run by Joseph Renzulli and Sally Reis at UCONN, every summer. Mrs. Cheney loves teaching the SEM-R, running the annual Renzulli Spelling Bee and the school library, coordinating enrichment opportunities for our students through The Bushnell Theater and Hartford Performs and leading the middle school faculty team.
Darrell Cookman
Middle School Enrichment
Darrell Cookman is currently serving as the Enrichment teacher at Renzulli Academy. Previously, he has taught middle school as well as high school English, led a Montessori middle school program, and co-directed an alternative learning program for high school age students. He has his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona where he was born. While earning a graduate degree from the University of Connecticut, he worked as a sports information intern with the UConn women's basketball team. He loves theater and has played numerous roles. Darrell, his wife, Starrlett, and their two children live in Collinsville.
Fon Teawdatwan
Middle School Science
foifon.teawdatwan@hartfordschools.org
Ms. Teawdatwan is originally from Bangkok, Thailand and moved to the United States at the age of four. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in Biology and Education/Poverty and Human Capability Studies. While in college, Ms. Teawdatwan took on different leadership roles with the university's Campus Kitchen, College Access program, Questbridge Chapter, and national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. She has been awarded the Nabors Service League McLoughlin Award for Volunteerism, an award that "Recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to their community through innovative service.” Ms. Teawdatwan has worked in preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, and 4th grade classroom and has taught summer school biology in Philadelphia at a local charter school.
Amber Thomas
Behavior Technician
Amber.Thomas@hartfordschools.org
Amber is Renzulli’s Behavior Technician. She is a product of the Hartford school system and graduated from SMSA and received her Bachelor's degree from CCSU. She comes to us with a lot of experience in dealing with and managing crisis. She works with students to help with their social emotional health. Helping our students in a positive environment.
Doreen Clapis
Family and Community Engagement Support Service Provider
Doreen Clapis, was born and raised in Hartford. She received her Associates Degree in Communications from Manchester Community College. She has many years experience helping families to achieve their goals. She is very involved in her community while she advocates for others. She has been working in this capacity since 1999.
Heather Vega
Middle School Counselor
Heather Vega is excited to join the Renzulli team this year as their first school counselor. She is currently also the middle school counselor at Classical Magnet School. Born and raised in Connecticut, she is a true Husky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in the Honors program and a master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Psychology; both from the University of Connecticut. Heather has been a school counselor for over 20 years and an educator for nearly 30. Except for 8 years in central valley California, she has spent her professional life serving the youth of Hartford - initially as a bilingual elementary teacher and then as a school counselor at both the high school and middle school levels. While in California, she also taught classes as an adjunct at CSU, Stanislaus.
Alex Lewson
Elementary Social Studies and Literacy
Alexander.Lewson@hartfordschools.org
Mr. Lewson teaches 4th and 5th grade literacy and social studies and is excited to join the Renzulli staff. He was born and raised in Connecticut, graduating UConn with a degree in History and Political Science and getting his Masters in Teaching from Sacred Heart University. Before working at Renzulli, he taught for 5 years in New York City.
Alyssa Casson
Elementary Math and Science
Alyssa.Casson@hartfordschools.org
Alyssa Casson is a recent graduate from Uconn NEAG School of Education. Before coming to Renzulli, Alyssa taught third grade at Southington Public Schools. Alyssa is passionate about volunteer work with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Before becoming an educator, she ran a Cooking Zone program during the summer and on the weekends at a summer camp for kids with life-threatening illnesses. Alyssa loves to cook, read, and listen to music.
Middle School History
My name is and I am the new 6/7/8 History Teacher here at Renzulli Academy. I have an undergraduate degree from Eastern and my masters from Sacred Heart. I have been teaching for 6 years in an array of schools from public, to private, and even special education. As history is a dynamic subject, I base my class around projects for our units. This will give each student an opportunity to highlight their strengths whether they are artists, public, speakers, or computer savvy. I am open to working with each student to find a way to help them succeed and look forward to working with both them and you this year.
Jeremy Osterling
Music Director
Saxophonist, Composer/Arranger and Educator, has been performing for 22 years and teaching for 16 years. Jeremy attended Cromwell High School and the Greater Hartford Academy for the Arts (GHAA). Pursuing Music Education, Jeremy attended Western Connecticut State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Jeremy received his Master of Arts in Education specializing in Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory. Jeremy received an Educator of the Year award from JC Music in 2016 and Apple Teacher certification in 2016. Jeremy is licensed in the State of Connecticut and is currently the Music Director at Renzulli Gifted and Talented Academy.
Jennifer Louis
Art
Stephen Gould
Physical Education
I graduated from Springfield College with my Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a Master's degree in School Counseling from CCSU. I have over 25 years of teaching experience. I love being active and enjoy spending time with my family and 3 Golden Retrievers!