Alena Cybart ‘96

Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award 2006

English Department Chair, John F. Kennedy High School

Alena received her B.A. in English and Journalism from UConn in 1996. She went on to Columbia University to receive her M.A. in English Education in 1997 and completed her Sixth Year Degree
from Sacred Heart University in Administration.

In 1998 she was hired as a teacher of English and Journalism at Wilby High School in Waterbury, CT. There she established an AP English Language Composition course and transformed their school newspaper into a monthly tabloid-sized publication that earned the Columbia Silver Medalist Award.

In 2003 she transferred to her alma mater, Kennedy High School in Waterbury, CT. Here, she again transformed the English and journalism departments and as well as the school newspaper which has gone on to win 14 state and New England awards in less than its three years of existence. Traditionally the newspaper had been produced solely by the Gifted Program but Alena opened up both her classes and the newspaper to all students, including Special Education and English as a Second Language students. Her AP program continues to flourish to where she has aided four more teachers in receiving training. Last year for the first time, four AP classes were offered. In 2004 at the age of 29, she was appointed English Department Chair, supervising 15 English teachers.

Alena has presented at many conferences over the years and was approached by the National Journalism Education Association to serve as the 2006-2007 Connecticut State Director in February of this year. Each fall and spring Columbia University asks her to present at their journalism conventions that are attended by thousands of teachers and their students.

Among her many awards is the Celebration of Excellence in Teaching Award from the State of Connecticut which she received in 2001.

Updated: 2006