Smile! Picture Day is Monday, September 29th, 2025
Join us on Wednesday, September 17th at 5pm in the GPA Community Commons for Freshmen Planning Night for the Class of 2029!
New Student Teacher Spotlight: Maryam Abu-Hasaballah
My name is Maryam Abu-Hasaballah. I have recently graduated with my bachelor's degree in history from the University of Connecticut and am pursuing my master's in education at UConn this year! Outside of education I enjoy running and reading. I am so grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the students and staff at Great Path and am incredibly excited for the rest of the year as a student teacher.
My name is Maryam Abu-Hasaballah. I have recently graduated with my bachelor's degree in history from the University of Connecticut and am pursuing my master's in education at UConn this year! Outside of education I enjoy running and reading. I am so grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the students and staff at Great Path and am incredibly excited for the rest of the year as a student teacher.
Let’s Show Community Pride!!!
Sign up to participate in the Puerto Rican Day Parade on SUNDAY, September 21, 2025!
GPA has been invited to participate in the parade, and is forming a group to participate.
Click on the link to sign up!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AIrLM7i1dC7APNnPiDzysnY5mukcTCgK_pMab-Lm_ZI/preview
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¡Mostremos orgullo comunitario!
¡Inscríbete para participar en el Desfile del Día de Puerto Rico el DOMINGO 21 de septiembre de 2025!
GPA ha sido invitado a participar en el desfile y está formando un grupo.
¡Haz clic en el enlace para inscribirte!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AIrLM7i1dC7APNnPiDzysnY5mukcTCgK_pMab-Lm_ZI/preview
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Vamos mostrar orgulho pela comunidade!!!
Inscreva-se para participar no Desfile do Dia de Porto Rico no DOMINGO, 21 de setembro de 2025!
A GPA foi convidada a participar no desfile e está a formar um grupo para participar.
Clique no link para se inscrever!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AIrLM7i1dC7APNnPiDzysnY5mukcTCgK_pMab-Lm_ZI/preview
New Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Bonnie Lespier, Special Education Teacher
My name is Bonnie Lespier and I am overjoyed to be joining the Great Path Academy family as a Special Education Teacher. This will be my 10th year of teaching. I have taught in both public and private schools. I am married and have two wonderful adult children. My daughter just graduated from college with a degree in Social Work. My son is actively serving as a Marine.
In my free time, I enjoy serving at my church along with volunteering with Salvation Army. I am also a CT Blue Stars Mom. We support and fundraise for Veterans and active military personnel and their families. I love spending quality time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to building positive and lasting relationships with my school community and my students and families.
My name is Bonnie Lespier and I am overjoyed to be joining the Great Path Academy family as a Special Education Teacher. This will be my 10th year of teaching. I have taught in both public and private schools. I am married and have two wonderful adult children. My daughter just graduated from college with a degree in Social Work. My son is actively serving as a Marine.
In my free time, I enjoy serving at my church along with volunteering with Salvation Army. I am also a CT Blue Stars Mom. We support and fundraise for Veterans and active military personnel and their families. I love spending quality time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to building positive and lasting relationships with my school community and my students and families.
College Rep Visits are scheduled for the month of October. Juniors and seniors are allowed to attend with their teacher permission. All visits will be held in the GPA Community Commons.
Junior and Senior Student Council Elections are coming! Campaigns go through September 17th and we will hold election speeches on Friday, September 19th. Any student interest must complete the interest form on the senior and junior google classrooms.
Join us Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 5pm for a VIRTUAL Hartford Board of Education Committee of the Whole Meeting. To view the agenda and find the livestream link, visit: https://go.boarddocs.com/ct/hartford/Board.nsf/Public.
Join us Monday, September 8, 2025 at 5pm for a VIRTUAL Hartford Board of Education Committee of the Whole Meeting. To view the agenda and find the livestream link, visit: https://go.boarddocs.com/ct/hartford/Board.nsf/Public.
Our Senior Planning Night will be on Wednesday, September 17th at 5pm at GPA! The Class of 2026 students and parents are invited to work on college planning. Mrs. Gralia, 12th grade school counselor, will be available this evening for the presentation. Please send your RSVP on ParentSquare.
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th to October 15th! We are celebrating a Hispanic Heritage Festival on October 10th, 2025 from 8:50-9:50am at the CT State Manchester auditorium! Parents are invited to attend and we will share a RSVP on ParentSquare soon. Save the date to celebrate Hispanic Heritage with us!
New Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Vanessa Borjorquez-Anguiano!
Hi! My name is Mrs. Vanessa Borjorquez-Anguiano (Mrs. BA) and I am so excited to be at Great Path this year! A little about me. I was born in Boston, MA, but I lived in Las Vegas most of my life. I am so excited to be back in New England! I am married (5 years in October) with zero plans of ever having children (my students are all the kids I will ever want or need). I have a ton of furbabies though (3 cats, 2 huge dogs, and 2 little dogs). This is my 13th year teaching (my first full year here in CT and ta GPA). I love being a teacher because I enjoy making learning fun and exciting. I want my students to know that I absolutely love teaching and it is such a huge part of who I am. My students mean the world to me and it super important that my classroom is a safe and comfortable place for all of you. I am looking forward to spending this school year with you and getting to know you.. It's going to be great!
Hi! My name is Mrs. Vanessa Borjorquez-Anguiano (Mrs. BA) and I am so excited to be at Great Path this year! A little about me. I was born in Boston, MA, but I lived in Las Vegas most of my life. I am so excited to be back in New England! I am married (5 years in October) with zero plans of ever having children (my students are all the kids I will ever want or need). I have a ton of furbabies though (3 cats, 2 huge dogs, and 2 little dogs). This is my 13th year teaching (my first full year here in CT and ta GPA). I love being a teacher because I enjoy making learning fun and exciting. I want my students to know that I absolutely love teaching and it is such a huge part of who I am. My students mean the world to me and it super important that my classroom is a safe and comfortable place for all of you. I am looking forward to spending this school year with you and getting to know you.. It's going to be great!
Save the Date! Our open house is on Wednesday, September 10th at 5pm! This is your opportunity to meet your student's teachers and staff members to learn about curriculum and classroom activities. We look forward to welcoming you to GPA!
New Staff Spotlight: Ms. Barbara Batista, ELL Teacher
My name is Barbara Batista, and I am very excited to be joining Great Path Academy this year as an ELL teacher. This is my ninth year in education and my first year at GPA, and I am so excited to be part of this wonderful school community and family.
I hold a degree in Modern Languages with a concentration in English, as well as a Master’s in Applied Linguistics for Teaching English as a Second Language. I speak three languages, and as a former multilingual learner myself, I understand the challenges my students face. Supporting them as they grow, reminding them of their potential, and celebrating their cultures and languages are at the heart of my work as an educator.
Beyond the classroom, I enjoy spending time in nature, singing, reading and writing, and exploring new things to learn. I am eager to bring both joy and support to our community this year.
My name is Barbara Batista, and I am very excited to be joining Great Path Academy this year as an ELL teacher. This is my ninth year in education and my first year at GPA, and I am so excited to be part of this wonderful school community and family.
I hold a degree in Modern Languages with a concentration in English, as well as a Master’s in Applied Linguistics for Teaching English as a Second Language. I speak three languages, and as a former multilingual learner myself, I understand the challenges my students face. Supporting them as they grow, reminding them of their potential, and celebrating their cultures and languages are at the heart of my work as an educator.
Beyond the classroom, I enjoy spending time in nature, singing, reading and writing, and exploring new things to learn. I am eager to bring both joy and support to our community this year.
New Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Jordan Waston, Special Education Teacher
My name is Jordan Watson, and I am very excited to be working at Great Path Academy this school year as a Special Education teacher. I will be a first-year teacher this year having just completed my master's degree at UConn in May. I will primarily be supporting freshmen this year which I am looking forward to as I believe this year is one of the most important in a student’s high school career. To say a little bit about myself, I was once a student at Great Path Academy during my first two years of high school. Having navigated being a student at Great Path I come with experience and advice that will be helpful to my students. Overall I can’t wait to meet all the students at GPA and support them in their academic endeavors as well as prepare them for life after high school!
Outside of school I have a range of interests that I’m always happy to talk about with my students (during the appropriate times.) Some of these things include soccer, basketball, UFC, music, TV, anime, cooking and many more. I believe being a young and fresh teacher will help me connect with students as I am sure many of our interests will intersect. Can’t wait to get started with you all!
My name is Jordan Watson, and I am very excited to be working at Great Path Academy this school year as a Special Education teacher. I will be a first-year teacher this year having just completed my master's degree at UConn in May. I will primarily be supporting freshmen this year which I am looking forward to as I believe this year is one of the most important in a student’s high school career. To say a little bit about myself, I was once a student at Great Path Academy during my first two years of high school. Having navigated being a student at Great Path I come with experience and advice that will be helpful to my students. Overall I can’t wait to meet all the students at GPA and support them in their academic endeavors as well as prepare them for life after high school!
Outside of school I have a range of interests that I’m always happy to talk about with my students (during the appropriate times.) Some of these things include soccer, basketball, UFC, music, TV, anime, cooking and many more. I believe being a young and fresh teacher will help me connect with students as I am sure many of our interests will intersect. Can’t wait to get started with you all!
New Staff Spotlight: Ms. Yolanda Colon, School Social Worker
My name is Yolanda Colon, Licensed Master Social Worker with three decades of dedicated service in school social work services, child welfare, mental health, and family advocacy. I am so happy to be joining the GPA community! I believe that education is not just about academics—it is about unlocking potential, nurturing self-worth, and creating opportunities that ripple through generations. My approach blends compassionate counseling with practical resource connection, empowering students to overcome barriers, discover their strengths, and achieve their potential. I am going to work tirelessly to connect families to resources, mediate challenges between home and school, and ensure that the students feel seen, supported, and capable of success. Whether in the classroom, in a therapy session, at a community meeting, or during a quiet one-on-one conversation, I would like to be a source of hope, guidance, and empowerment for the students that cross my path. When not working or providing services in the community, I can be found enjoying time with my kids, especially my grandchildren. I enjoy relaxing while listening to music, attending local concerts and dancing to Latin music.
My name is Yolanda Colon, Licensed Master Social Worker with three decades of dedicated service in school social work services, child welfare, mental health, and family advocacy. I am so happy to be joining the GPA community! I believe that education is not just about academics—it is about unlocking potential, nurturing self-worth, and creating opportunities that ripple through generations. My approach blends compassionate counseling with practical resource connection, empowering students to overcome barriers, discover their strengths, and achieve their potential. I am going to work tirelessly to connect families to resources, mediate challenges between home and school, and ensure that the students feel seen, supported, and capable of success. Whether in the classroom, in a therapy session, at a community meeting, or during a quiet one-on-one conversation, I would like to be a source of hope, guidance, and empowerment for the students that cross my path. When not working or providing services in the community, I can be found enjoying time with my kids, especially my grandchildren. I enjoy relaxing while listening to music, attending local concerts and dancing to Latin music.
Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing our new faculty and staff at GPA!
New Staff Spotlight:
Hello GPA Community!
My name is Ms. Chelsey Hood, and I am so excited to be joining Great Path Academy this year as the Culinary Arts teacher. This is my 12th year in education, but my first year at GPA and my first year teaching culinary arts. My background is in Career and Technical Education, where I’ve taught courses in graphic design, digital media, and STEM. I love helping students discover their creativity, build confidence, and develop skills they can use far beyond the classroom.
Outside of school, I’m a proud mom of two wonderful kids. We love cooking together, trying out new recipes, and spending time outdoors. I look forward to bringing my passion for food, creativity, and hands-on learning into the kitchen here at GPA.
New Staff Spotlight:
Hello GPA Community!
My name is Ms. Chelsey Hood, and I am so excited to be joining Great Path Academy this year as the Culinary Arts teacher. This is my 12th year in education, but my first year at GPA and my first year teaching culinary arts. My background is in Career and Technical Education, where I’ve taught courses in graphic design, digital media, and STEM. I love helping students discover their creativity, build confidence, and develop skills they can use far beyond the classroom.
Outside of school, I’m a proud mom of two wonderful kids. We love cooking together, trying out new recipes, and spending time outdoors. I look forward to bringing my passion for food, creativity, and hands-on learning into the kitchen here at GPA.
Good Afternoon Great Path Academy Families,
Please note that returning students and parents are welcome to collect their school issued devices as follows:
Wednesday, August 20th and Thursday, August 21st between 9am-1pm - Returning students and parents are required to come to GPA to pick up their laptop, charger and sign off on the Device Contract. There is no fee or deposit needed.
Students and parents new to Great Path Academy are required to attend the Mandatory Laptop night on Thursday, August, 28th,at 5:00 PM.
August 28th - New Student and Parent Mandatory Laptop Night at 5pm. We will review our Device Policy and new students will pick up their laptop, charger and sign off on the Device Contract. There is no fee or deposit needed.
Please note that returning students and parents are welcome to collect their school issued devices as follows:
Wednesday, August 20th and Thursday, August 21st between 9am-1pm - Returning students and parents are required to come to GPA to pick up their laptop, charger and sign off on the Device Contract. There is no fee or deposit needed.
Students and parents new to Great Path Academy are required to attend the Mandatory Laptop night on Thursday, August, 28th,at 5:00 PM.
August 28th - New Student and Parent Mandatory Laptop Night at 5pm. We will review our Device Policy and new students will pick up their laptop, charger and sign off on the Device Contract. There is no fee or deposit needed.
Save the Date! Meet the Teacher Night will be Wednesday, September 10th from 5pm-7pm at GPA.
Get ready for back to school! We will be holding a GPA Back to School Social at Great Path Academy from 1pm-3pm. Come and enjoy lunch and a chance to re-connect with staff and students before the first day of school on Tuesday, August 26th.
