WEF Honors Ms. Cindy Fitzpatrick with the Dr. Kim Smith Excellence in Education Award
The Wakefield Educational Foundation hosted its 30th annual Celebration of Learning on Wednesday April 15th. WEF celebrated students, staff, and volunteers who exemplify the core values of their schools and go above and beyond in their efforts and contributions to the Wakefield Public Schools. The final recognition of the evening was the surprise presentation of the Dr. Kim Smith Award, named for Wakefield’s highly esteemed Superintendent who retired in 2018 after a 35 year career as a teacher and an administrator in the Wakefield Public Schools.
Superintendent Dr. Doug Lyons paid tribute to the award recipient who he described as “a lifelong Wakefield resident who has dedicated her heart and soul not only to our town, but to the Galvin community.” Dr. Lyons went on to describe Ms. Fitzpatrick as “a passionate educator whose students truly thrive under her care. With her calm, compassionate presence and her belief that every child can succeed, Cindy has a remarkable ability to make all of her students feel seen, valued, and eager to learn.”
Ms. Fitzpatrick was praised for her work in and out of her classroom. Dr. Lyons described her colleagues’ appreciation for Ms. Fitzpatrick, “The 5th grade team expressed that they feel incredibly fortunate to benefit from her energy, creativity, and strong community connections. Through partnerships with the MWRA, Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, Camp Bournedale, Eyes on Owls, and Wakefield Cooperative Bank, Cindy has helped bring unforgettable, hands-on learning experiences to our students every day.” “And her dedication doesn’t stop there,” Lyons expressed. “Cindy has long been an active leader in the WEA Union, where she currently serves as secretary. She plays a vital role in the Student Mentoring program, serves as a GED test proctor, and acts as a liaison to numerous community organizations.”
Lyons concluded, “Cindy is a go-to person for teachers and administrators alike. She is a mentor, a guide, and a steady source of support for all. While she may prefer to work behind the scenes, her impact is felt everywhere. As Cindy prepares to retire at the end of this year, we know one thing for certain: Galvin will not be the same without her. She is a huge part of what makes this school such a special place.”
After Lyons spoke of Cindy’s many contributions to Galvin and the Wakefield Public Schools, Dr. Lyons and WEF President Jamee Paolillo presented the award to Ms. Fitzpatrick. Unbeknownst to her, her family was not only in attendance, they came out on stage to join in the celebration.
WEF’s mission is to bring the community together to build and sustain educational excellence with innovative and creative programs that impact the Wakefield Public Schools. To support its 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 $770,000 across the Wakefield Public Schools since 1989. Learn more by following WEF on Twitter or Facebook, or go to WEF01880.org.
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Ms. Cindy Fitzpatrick and her family joined by WEF President, Jamee Paolillo, Superintendent Doug Lyons, and Assistant Superintendent, Kara Mauro.