State PTA names Milford’s Cutaia top superintendent
MILFORD — Open communication, clear direction and vision are among the attributes that led to Milford Superintendent Anna Cutaia receiving the 2021 Outstanding Superintendent award from the Connecticut Parent Teacher Association.
“She deserves every bit of recognition,” said Milford PTA Council President Jessica DeYoung. “She leads an incredible team of administrators, teachers and staff.”
Each year the Connecticut PTA Association asks member chapters for nominations of individuals who exemplify excellence in school district leadership. DeYoung said a significant reason for nominating Cutaia was her leadership during the pandemic.
Cutaia said that she was grateful for the honor, which she said recognized the strength of the Milford school community during the past year as the system adjusted to revised learning under COVID restrictions.
“Students, staff, parents, community members and our Board of Education have come together to ensure that our dreams for students were not interrupted, but rather, only grew bigger with an unwavering commitment to all learners in Milford Public Schools,” she said.
DeYoung said Cutaia’s preparation and leadership meant that Milford students only missed a week of school.
“They joined virtual classrooms, and after our spring break, kids were back in their virtual classrooms live with teachers, having conversations,” she said.
As part of the nomination process, the Milford PTA Council sent letters of recommendation to the state PTA detailing Cutaia’s positive attributes. Bridget Krauss, president of the Meadowside Elementary PTA, said she appreciated Cutaia’s consistent and honest communication with parents.
“She has shared where the district is in their planning, communicated protocols that would be in place, and has shared the reality that guidance has continued to change,” she said.
According to the Milford Education Foundation, Cutaia had been a constant and enthusiastic partner and that partnership has resulted in several events designed to support and extend student learning.
Amy Rizzo, who works in the school system and also has two children in the city’s schools, said Cutaia’s inherent strength is her ability to build relationships with others.
“She demonstrates these skills by inviting and really listening to the voices of many,” Rizzo said. “She thinks about how to best meet the needs of our community, and she allows room for shared collaboration within our school system.”
DeYoung said Cutaia’s support had been key in the Milford PTA receiving a $ 15,000 National PTA grant that enabled them to execute three key programs: the Youth Mental Health First Aid ( where over 150 individuals were trained); a Distance Learning Playbook for Parents webinar; and the development of mental health libraries in the schools.
“Milford PTA Council and its members have historically had a very strong relationship with the district and their schools,” DeYoung said. “We all share the ideals that relationships matter and kids first.”
Cutaia will be honored at a celebration in May, hosted by the Connecticut PTA.