The Farmington Board of Education and Kathleen C. Greider, Superintendent of Schools, are proud to announce that Diane Hacker, Noah Wallace Elementary School Instructional Paraprofessional, has been named 2024-2025 Staff Member of the Year for the Farmington Public Schools.
Diane’s dedication to the students of Farmington and more specifically, Noah Wallace Elementary School, is based on the strong relationships she prioritizes with every child. She serves as a warm demander and someone who can always be counted upon to step forward to make a positive impact on her students.
As a founding member of the IDEA+ Club, she is action-oriented when it comes to equity and inclusivity so that every child and family is seen, heard and honored within the school community. She has written grants that have resulted in enrichment opportunities for students and inspires students, faculty and staff to engage in service projects within the Farmington community. A project of note was the work she engaged in to bring the Peace Path to Noah Wallace as a strategy for students to independently solve conflicts. In order to do this, she wrote a grant through the Noah Wallace Fund for $8,000 to support this work. She has trained faculty, staff and students in the use of this important conflict resolution tool.
Superintendent Greider states, “Diane embodies Farmington’s core belief, Actions Matter. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed, Diane is quick to work collaboratively with others to solve it. For example, bringing the Peace Path to Noah Wallace has made a profound impact on ensuring students are leaders in solving conflicts that may arise in a way that honors differing perspectives. Her work as an Instructional Paraprofessional is exemplary. She is a learner and someone who embraces new learning with enthusiasm and an action-oriented approach. I am thrilled that Diane is our 2025 Staff Member of the Year as she is much deserving of this honor and recognition.”
Board Chair Bill Beckert commented, “On behalf of the Farmington Board of Education, I extend our congratulations in naming Diane Hacker as our 2024-2025 Staff Member of the Year. Our Paraprofessionals are vital members of our school district, ensuring all students achieve personal and academic excellence in all aspects of their education. We are so proud to have Diane, a Farmington parent and outstanding Instructional Paraprofessional, as our 2024-2025 Staff Member of the Year.”
Dr. Carrie Huber, Noah Wallace Elementary School’s Principal, states, “Diane’s contributions to Noah Wallace and the Farmington Public School reach far beyond the walls of our schools. Diane believes deeply in helping our students, teachers, and staff find ways to help each other feel safe, joyful and engaged as community members each day. Throughout her years as a paraeducator at Noah Wallace, Diane has been a problem solver who has taken small successes with individual students and turned them into highly impactful action through her passion, grant writing, and innovation. We are so fortunate to have Diane as a dedicated staff member in the Farmington Public Schools.”
Upon being selected Staff Member of the Year Diane Hacker commented “I am both humbled and proud to be named the Farmington Public Schools’ Staff Member of the Year for 2025. I have enjoyed watching my own children learn and grow as students and individuals in the FPS school community. I have been fortunate to be a part of this community professionally for the last 8 years as a staff member, and for 22 years as a Farmington resident. The meaningful relationships that I have made with students and fellow educators and staff have brought much joy and happiness to my life. It takes a village to raise our children and I am honored to be part of the team that continues to lead by example, foster growth and independence amongst our students, and set the stage for success in our Farmington community.”
Brief Bio:
Diana grew up in the Western Massachusetts area and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA in 1997 with a BA in Psychology. She spent her early post graduate years working in Western MA as an assistant teacher and DCF social worker. Upon relocating to Connecticut in 2002, Diana worked at Cigna Behavioral Health and also in the Staffing Department at The Hartford Insurance Company. Diana and her husband Geoff have resided and raised their two daughters in Farmington over the past 22 years.
Diana began her career in Farmington Public Schools in 2016 at East Farms as a Paraprofessional, and over the last seven years at Noah Wallace as a literacy tutor for grades K-4. Highlights of her career at NWS have included leading and participating in the NWS Rocket Reading Club, NWS Graphic Novel Club. and most recently in 2023 the Peacemaker Training Program. This past summer, Diana transitioned to West Woods Upper Elementary to continue supporting students, staff, and families in the main office. She is an avid fan of her daughters soccer and track & field careers at FHS and participates on numerous committees, including Project Graduation and the FHS Girls Soccer Booster Club. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and can often be spotted on the Farmington Bike Path walking her dogs or cycling.
