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The Connecticut Geographic Alliance has been blessed to be represented by two distinguished educators for more than twenty-five years. Tom Lewis and Sheila Spellacy have advocated for quality geography education for the youth of Connecticut and have each literally reached tens of thousands of students, teachers, administrators, and parents through numerous geography programs, workshops, and grants. January 1, 2009 saw the inevitable “changing of the guard” as both Tom and Sheila turned over the reins of their executive positions with the CGA to those chosen to try to fill their CGA shoes. Tom Lewis completed his undergraduate work at Central Connecticut State College, received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University, and was a distinguished professor and chairperson at Manchester Community College for many years. Upon his “retirement,” Tom joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut as an Associate Professor in Residence. He has authored several books including Near the Long Tidal River and Mainstream and Ebbs: Readings in the Geography of Connecticut. One of the first members of the Connecticut Geographers advocacy group of the 1980s, Tom has served in the co-coordinator’s role for the past twelve years. In his new “retirement,” Tom will enjoy time at the shore with his wife Valerie Lewis, former State of Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education, his two children, and his grandchildren. He will be sorely missed but the students of Connecticut and the world are better for his lessons. Sheila Spellacy, an outstanding educator for the East Hartford Public Schools for many years, was chosen to represent Connecticut at the 1989 National Geographic Summer Institute. Charged with “spreading the word,” Sheila became the CGA’s Professional Development Coordinator and held that position through December 2008. During her years of service to the CGA, Sheila has directed Connecticut State Geography Institutes, presented countless workshops statewide and in the Dominican Republic and Canada, directed the successful Family Geography Challenge program, and the well-received Hartford Courant “Newspaper in Education” geography program, now in its fourth year. Travel is now a major part of Sheila’s new itinerary but, just like Tom, Sheila will continue to serve geography on the CGA’s Advisory Board. As for the future, Bill DeGrazia, retired Bethel Middle School teacher, will continue as CGA Co-coordinator. Tom Brodnitzki, Milken Award-winning teacher from the Metropolitan Learning Center and adjunct instructor at the University of Connecticut, will join him in this position. Laura Krenicki, a NCGE 2008 Distinguished Teacher of the Year and sixth grade teacher at Colchester’s William J. Johnston Middle School, will become the new Professional Development Coordinator. Allyson Lubs, first-year teacher at Pawcatuck Middle School in Stonington, has also assumed the position of My Wonderful World Coordinator for the CGA. The Alliance owes a debt of gratitude to Tom and Sheila and we wish them much relaxation and happiness in their newest adventures!
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