Assistant Superintendent Kara Mauro Honored with WEF Leadership Award
The Wakefield Educational Foundation [WEF] hosted its 29th annual Celebration of Learning ceremony before the district’s April Vacation week. The uplifting event celebrates individuals and groups within the Wakefield community who consistently work to improve the Wakefield Public School [WPS] system. The evening began by recognizing students, staff, and volunteers at each of the town’s seven schools, followed by special awards such as the Community Award and Impact Award.
Superintendent Lyons approached the podium to present the evening's final award. He surprised everyone by asking Assistant Superintendent Kara Mauro to join him, ostensibly to help with the presentation. Then, Lyons began speaking, explaining, “It’s not often that we get to recognize those working behind the scenes…we felt this was the perfect moment to honor Assistant Superintendent Kara Mauro for her remarkable leadership.” The announcement caught Mauro completely by surprise; her shock and humble honor were clear on her face. The audience responded with vigorous applause. This special moment, it turned out, honored Kara with the penultimate award of the night.
Lyons spoke of the many reasons Mauro was deserving of this distinctive recognition. Her ability to form strong relationships with educators, caregivers, and community stakeholders was top of the list. “Ms. Mauro's focus on steady, consistent improvement, grounded in supportive relationships, has encouraged and supported teachers to continue to innovate and excel in their teaching practices. Her support for teachers reflects the most important core value that investing in our teachers and supporting instruction directly benefits our students.”
Words used to describe Mauro include consistent, collaborative, supportive, and dedicated. “Ms. Mauro's leadership is characterized by her unwavering care and commitment to student success and her collaborative approach to solving problems and leaving almost any project she is a part of better than she found it,” Lyons proudly enthused about her years of dedication to WPS. WEF congratulates Assistant Superintendent Kara Mauro and thanks her for her profound impact on our community.
WEF invests in Wakefield public schools’ education and growth by awarding annual grants for enrichment, innovation, and new programming. To support the grant process, WEF receives generous funding from key local business partners, private donors, and a series of annual fundraisers, including: WEF’s Wakefield Public Schools Calendar showcasing student art; the S.T.A.R.S. program recognizing exemplary WPS staff; the Online Auction and the Adult Spelling Bee. WEF has awarded over $730,000 across the Wakefield Public Schools since 1989. Learn more by following WEF on Twitter or Facebook, or go to WEF01880.org.