New Staff Joins Great Path Academy

Manchester, CT – (September 30, 2008) . . . Great Path Academy at Manchester Community College, a magnet middle college high school serving students in grades 10-12 and managed by CREC, is pleased to announce the following additions to its staff:

Gregory Buonome, of South Windsor, has joined Great Path Academy as the assistant principal. Prior to joining Great Path Academy, Buonome taught mathematics, social studies and reading for grades six, seven and eight in the Hartford and East Hartford school districts.

Buonome holds a sixth-year degree in educational leadership and school administration from the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP). He also holds a master of education degree in elementary and health education, and a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Springfield College. Buonome received cross-endorsement in middle school mathematics from Central Connecticut State University.

Anthony Ettienne-Modeste, of Hartford, is the newest associate instructor in graphic design and math tutor. Ettienne-Modeste was formerly a graphic design and math instructor for the CONNCAP summer enrichment program at Eastern Connecticut State University. Previously, he was employed with Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. as a graphic artist.

Ettienne-Modeste is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design.

Jim Farrell, of Manchester, has joined Great Path Academy as an English teacher. Farrell was formerly an adjunct instructor at Manchester Community College teaching developmental English courses. Previously, he was a language arts teacher at Bennet Middle School in Manchester. Farrell was also a writer and reporter for the Hartford Courant and currently works part-time as a blogger.

Farrell is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and is pursuing a sixth-year degree at Southern Connecticut State University.

Jim Fogarty, of Manchester, has been hired as a physical education and health teacher. He has taught elementary education for nine year prior to joining Great Path Academy.

Fogarty holds an associate degree from Manchester Community College, a bachelor of science degree from the University of Connecticut and a master of science degree from Central Connecticut State University.

Raynette Holmes, of West Hartford has joined Great Path Academy as a social worker. Prior to joining Great Path Academy, Holmes was a mental health clinician for Hartford Public Schools. Previously, she was a child and family clinician for the town of Bloomfield.

Holmes is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a master of social work degree. She also holds a bachelor of science degree in public administration from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.

Shelia Marin, of Cheshire, has been hired as a math teacher. Marin recently retired as an IT consultant for the Hartford Insurance Group in Hartford. Marin holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Laura Skipp, of Newington, has been hired as a special education teacher. She is a graduate of the integrated bachelor’s/master’s program in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut with a master’s degree in special education. Skipp has a range of classroom experience in both urban and suburban settings. She has taught in the Hartford, Glastonbury, East Hartford and Mansfield school systems.

Tara Taylor-Jackson, of South Windsor, has joined Great Path Academy as a reading and writing teacher. Taylor-Jackson has taught English in urban middle and high schools. She is presently pursuing a master of science degree in reading.

Kellie Wagner, of Suffield, is the newest associate instructor in literacy in the Developmental Center at Great Path Academy.

Prior to joining Great Path Academy, Wagner was a religious education teacher. Wagner holds a master of arts degree in theology from Elms College in Massachusetts and a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Westfield State College in Massachusetts.

The mission of Great Path Academy at MCC is to provide an innovative learning environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds in developing the values, self-discipline, work habits, academic and life skills needed to achieve success. Students at Great Path Academy are fully immersed into the college community and are encouraged to accelerate their post-secondary studies by supplementing their high school program with college coursework.

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Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.

Laura Skipp Special Education Teacher	Greg Buonome Assistant Principal	Shelia Marin Math Teacher
James Fogarty Physical Education and Health Teacher	Tara Taylor-Jackson Reading and Writing teacher	Kellie Wagner Associate Tnstructor in Literacy
Anthony Ettienne-Modeste Associate Instructor in Graphic Design	Jim Farrell English teacher	Raynette Holmes Social Worker