Three Shelton teachers and five Shelton counselors received the 2024-2025 Shelton Parents' Association Recognition Kudos (SPARK) Award at the May 23 Shelton End-of-the-Year Staff Appreciation Luncheon. This is the tenth year that SPA presented the recognition. Awards are based on comments received in the spring parent survey. Each winner received a SPARK crystal statue, thanks to the coordination of Shelton parent Emily Touchstone. They also received a check. Thanks to our generous Shelton Parents' Association, and congratulations to the winners. 

LOWER SCHOOL: HONEY HARRIS

Lower School Head Christine Davis describes Honey Harris as a kind and caring spirit who serves her students with compassion while instilling the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Parents echo that praise, with Molly Hayes sharing, “Ms. Harris knows exactly how to gently push, inspire and encourage each child to excel. Both of my children have overcome learning differences and now thrive with a love of learning. She is a true gift to her students and one of the reasons Shelton is such a special place.” A grandparent added, “Thank you, Ms. Harris, for your care and guidance in the education of our granddaughter, Tavie Zpevak. She has blossomed this year — growing in confidence, achievement and joy.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL: MONICA ORR

Monica Orr is making a real difference in the lives of her students through her expertise, consistency and unwavering commitment. One parent shared, "She has been nothing short of phenomenal, offering the perfect balance of being firm yet loving." Another praised her for providing "the academic challenge, emotional support and structured skill-building that has had a transformative impact on my child." 

UPPER SCHOOL: SOPHIA VAN DEN HANDEL

Upper School teacher Sophia Van Den Handel is celebrated by Shelton parents for her creativity, calm confidence and deep passion for writing. One parent shared, “Her passion for reading and writing and international experience gives her a depth of understanding of the world around her that transcends into her classroom teaching.” Ms. Van Den Handel has motivated countless students to work hard and dream big — especially through her leadership in publishing Shelton’s Upper School Literary Magazine two years in a row. Seeing their written work in print has inspired our students to continue to share and celebrate their work.

ALL AROUND: SHELTON COUNSELORS

This year’s All-Around SPARK Award went to Shelton’s remarkable counseling team: Andrea Baker, Bailey Glass, Claudia Kuhnast, Susan Sutton and Lisa Winkler. Here were the comments about the team: "This team is committed to supporting our students in their academic journey and their personal well-being. They provide teachers with specific social/emotional programming in each division to support mental health concerns, character building and challenges related to social media. This instruction is critical, and this team goes above and beyond to help build interpersonal skills in students so that Shelton can be a community where every individual feels safe, seen, supported and valued."