Meet the Team
In January of 2016, a team of educators was fortunate enough to be nominated and selected to attend a unique convening sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in San Diego, California. The convening, titled ECET2, was like no other and focused on “Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers”. Participants of ECET2-San Diego included educators from across the country and was solely designed by teachers, for teachers. Its driving principles focused on nurturing trust among teachers, potential for growth, inspiring intellect and passion, providing time for collaboration and learning, putting teachers in the lead, and recognizing teachers as talented professionals.
We are now bringing this unique experience to our Rhode Island colleagues by planning ECET2 in our very own state. ECET2RI provides Rhode Island teachers with tools to grow and improve upon their practice within and beyond the classroom as teacher leaders. Throughout the convening teachers have the opportunity to expand their professional network by establishing personal connections with statewide colleagues. Strategically planned Colleague Circles and breakout sessions are designed to incorporate best practice and provide hands on experiences. These sessions improve teachers’ overall practice and leadership skills, and teachers are encouraged to share what’s learned with their colleagues in their own school community. Participants are encouraged to reflect upon their ECET2RI experience, and they design and implement action plans that will allow them to share their newly acquired learning with peers.
One of the main goals of the ECET2RI planning committee is to ensure that this convening provides an opportunity to unify our many districts and develop solidarity within our state. Our convening aims to bring light to and address our state educational challenges, to ignite passion through celebration, and to provide multiple opportunities for networking. The network that we hope to build empowers RI’s current and future educators to continue to “Grow, Collaborate, and Lead”. Doing so ensures the success of Rhode Island’s students!
This year we are thrilled to welcome 2017 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Nikos Giannopoulos, to our ECET2RI Planning Team! His educational expertise and advocacy for students make him the perfect addition.
Lisa Tenreiro, Crystal Monteiro, Elisabeth Ridder and Jennifer Hines all attended ECET2 San Diego, 2016. They are each former New Teacher Induction Coaches for the Rhode Island Department of Education.
Jennifer Hines @TeachLilBee
Milken National Educator, 2008. This is her 26th year in education and is presently serving as an Instructional Coach & Enrichment Specialist in Barrington, Rhode Island. Email Jenny |
Crystal Monteiro @cmonteiro8172
East Providence Teacher of the Year, 2016. This is her 22nd year in education. At present Crystal is serving as a district elementary numeracy coach in East Providence, Rhode Island. Email Crystal |
Lisa Tenreiro @lgtenreiro
Rhode Island Guidance Counselor of the Year, 2015. This is her 19th year in education. At present Lisa is serving as the Director of School Counselor at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Email Lisa |
Nikos Giannopoulos @BeaconMrG
Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, 2017. At present Nikos serves as a special education teacher at Beacon Charter School for the Arts in Woonsocket, Email Nikos |