East Haven Teacher Of The Year Named New Recreation Director

EAST HAVEN, CT —The woman named the 2020 teacher of the year will now be East Haven's new recreation director.

The town announced Tuesday that Elizabeth “Liz” Franco-Spano was hired for the position, vacant since the former director resigned in August 2020.

Franco-Spano, who has been a physical education and health teacher for more than 35 years, was named the East Haven Public Schools' Teacher of the Year for 2020.

In addition to her role as a PE and health educator, she also has 15 years of "recreation and camp knowledge," including experience within the East Haven Recreation Department, and most recently as the camp and recreation director for the Silver Sands Beach and Tennis Club.

Franco-Spano, who retires from the school district at the end of the school year, starts her new job July 1. Also a member of the Recreation and Athletic Commission, she'll be leaving that post "immediately."

According to a news release from the town, although the recreation director position is "not hired through the Civil Service Commission, the Town of East Haven relied on the Chief Examiner and her extensive and diverse job advertising capabilities to advertise this opening. This broad outreach gathered over 100 applicants."

“I am so very pleased with our decision to select Liz Franco-Spano," Mayor Joseph A Carfora said. "Liz’s 30-year commitment to this community is legendary; her impact through the years on our children speaks volumes. Once we began talking to candidates, Liz rose to the top. It quickly became clear that she possessed the experience, communication strengths, organizational skills, and the community outreach capabilities that are needed to rebuild this department. Liz understands its history, the work that is needed to reconstruct our facilities, and possesses unparalleled enthusiasm to work side by side with all stakeholders. Our school systems' loss is our town’s gain. On behalf of the town of East Haven, I welcome Liz.”

“The hiring process was thorough. I am thrilled that the commission will be working with Liz moving forward in the role of recreation director," Chairman of the Recreation and Athletic Commission Pat Paulson said. "She is a cherished asset to our town.”

Franco-Spano is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education, Masters of Science in Physical Educationand, 6th Year in Education/Educational Foundations.

She has been honored throughout her career as follows: 6th Year in Education/Educational Foundations (2006); Merit Award - Town of East Haven (2007); Postal Award State of CT -Women Who Change America (2004); Citizen of the Year-Town of East Haven (2001); Joseph Melillo School Outstanding Service Award (1998); East Haven High School Hall of Fame - Inducted in 1997; Sons and Daughters of Italy- West Haven Elks Club (1996).