Alpha Kappa State 2008 Fall Conference

Saturday, November 8

Registration Form

Alternative Educational Settings

 Thomas F. Cronin
Keynote Speaker

            Thomas F. Cronin, Director of Educational Services of EASTCONN, is the Keynote Speaker for our Fall Conference on Alternative Educational Settings. Mr. Cronin holds certifications for Superintendent of Schools, Intermediate Administrator, Supervisor and Special Education K-12. He presently manages five day treatment programs for low incidence students, develops new programs and services for students with Autism, oversees the development and implementation of two regional magnet high schools, as well as coordinates the efforts of regional special education services for EASTCONN’s member districts.
            Mr. Cronin will speak about the Connecticut School Choices Initiative. As someone who is integral in the set-up and implementation of alternative programs, he will highlight many of the alternatives to standard public education that are offered and supported by our State Department of Education. His varied career and personal and related professional experiences make Mr. Cronin an ideal person to address the conference theme.
            Tom’s career objective is to positively affect the lives of children, and he certainly is doing that! He lives in Storrs with his wife, Anne, their three children (who are home-schooled through fifth grade), along with two dogs, three cats and a horse.

Alternative Education Panel

Dr. Michael Sharpe, a graduate of Columbia University, B.A., Norwich University, M.Psy and New York University, PhD, currently is the Chief Executive Officer for Jumoke Academy Schools in Hartford, CT. 
            Under Dr. Sharpe’s leadership, Jumoke Academy’s middle and elementary schools for the past three years have been cited in an independent study based on the Connecticut Mastery Scores as one of the top ten performing schools in the State of Connecticut.  Dr. Sharpe began work at Jumoke Academy in 1999 and was appointed its CEO in 2003.
            During his tenure the school’s enrollment has grown from 150 students to over 400 and its staff from 15 to over 60 full time employees.  Its academic program has expanded to include an outstanding Pre-K program and two academic award winning schools:  Jumoke Academy Charter School and Jumoke Academy Honor’s Middle School. Last year Jumoke Academy students had scores equal to the highest writing scores of any school district in the State of Connecticut.
            Dr. Sharpe is president of the Connecticut Charter School Association and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

         

Pat Stamidis has been a Lambda Chapter member since 1987,  Pat has a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Educational Foundations from CCSU. She also has a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from SCSU.
            Pat has been employed for over 16 years by the Unified School District #1 which serves Connecticut's Prison System. She started out as a State School Teacher (12 years). In 2004, Pat became the Assistant Principal of the York Correctional Institution (female facility). Since 2006, she has been the Principal of the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution (male facility). Pat has worked at five different prisons/jails (there is a difference).
            Additionally, for the past 8 years, she has taught GED classes for either CREC or for the Vernon Regional Adult Basic Education.

 

Margaret Skidd has home schooled her children for 20 years. Her BA is in Special Education, her MA is in Clinical Psychology, and her PHD is in Organizational Psychology.  She has been an independent educational consultant since 1980.  Maggie is currently an educational organizational consultant for ACES in New Haven. She is also a professor at Naugatuck Community College teaching Behavioral Sciences.

Gino LoRicco, an educator for 22 years, is currently teaching principal of Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School. QVMCHS combines high school and college classes in a program for non-traditional learners, grades 10-12, who might otherwise drop out. The program is intended to help those same capable, but at-risk, students finish high school and continue on to college.
            In addition to earning college credits, students will graduate from QVMCHS with the same number of credits required by the traditional high school. The program includes a strong community service component.
            Gino graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in History, Clark University with an MALA in Geography and Education and from Sacred Heart University with a 6thYear in school administration. 
            It has always been a dream of Gino’s to help build a school. Working with EASTCONN, QVCC and the Partner District’s students and parents has allowed him to pursue this dream. He lives in Coventry with his wife, Marcia, and their 8 children. He coaches, plays and performs folk music, and has completed three marathons. 

 

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Last Updated: October 2, 2008