Matthew Gatto attended Westport schools from kindergarten through Staples High graduation, in 2023.
He worked as a Parks & Recreation Department tennis instructor, and offered private lessons too. That experience sparked his interest in education.
He did his senior internship at Blackham Elementary School in Bridgeport, where his mother volunteers with the Book Buddies literacy program.
Matthew is a rising junior at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus, in the accelerated master’s program for education. He continues to teach tennis through the Johnny Mac Project — John McEnroe’s non-profit organization, which provides free after-school programs to underserved children. Matthew writes:
As a future educator and recent graduate of the Westport public school system, I’ve experienced firsthand how much students benefit from well-resourced classrooms and fully supported teachers.
Just a few miles away in Bridgeport, students face a different reality. It should concern us all, as Fairfield County residents.
Matthew Gatto, with Blackham students.
My connection to the Bridgeport public school system began as a Staples senior, when I interned at Blackham Elementary School.
There, I had the opportunity to work alongside 4 incredibly dedicated and caring teachers. These educators were deeply invested in their students’ success, both in and outside of the classroom. They worked tirelessly to build a community where each student felt valued and excited to learn.
The students at Blackham solidified my passion for teaching. They welcomed me into their school with warmth and enthusiasm. They were bright, motivated, and eager to learn. But, as with many of their peers in Bridgeport, they face unique challenges that should concern us all.
Last month, the Bridgeport Board of Education voted to eliminate 20 teaching positions, all 15 school librarians, and 5 assistant principals across the district. These cuts come on top of 45 positions already eliminated in December.
One note to Matthew from a grateful student …
Unfortunately, they are just the beginning of a series of concerning reductions.
For the teachers who remain in the district, class sizes will expand, making it much more difficult to provide individualized support for students with diverse needs and learning styles. With fewer resources, these dedicated educators are being asked to do more with less.
Equally concerning, special education programs face major reductions. Cutting back on essential services for students who need it the most is a grave disservice to an already vulnerable population.
… and another.
Also being eliminated is the district’s performing and visual arts programs, including the popular FAME After-school Arts Academy. This decision deprives students of creative outlets that have been proven to support emotional development and academic achievement.
The proposed cuts also include terminating bus transportation for over 2,000 students. This concerning action will hinder many children’s ability to attend school. Many students in Bridgeport, especially those from working families, rely on the bus system to get to school. Removing this will have devastating consequences.
In my opinion, one of the most heartbreaking cuts is the elimination of all 15 school librarians. Blackham librarian Aimee Guerrero has been instrumental in promoting a new generation of lifelong readers.
Aimee has transformed the library into a sanctuary where students have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and gain critical thinking skills.
I fear that eliminating this position will be a devastating setback for a school where many students are English language learners, and already face significant challenges with reading proficiency.
These cuts are detrimental for a district that already struggles with limited resources. Eliminating staff, programs and transportation only deepens the barriers students already face.
The fight for funding is now in the hands of State Legislators and Governor Ned Lamont. We are in the final stages of negotiating the state budget, with a deadline of June 4.
This is a critical moment to make our voices heard and demand better for Bridgeport’s children. I urge all readers to write to Governor Lamont. Tell him that these cuts are unacceptable. Tell him that every child, regardless of ZIP code, deserves access to a quality education.
Because when one of our neighboring school districts struggles, the strength of our entire community is put at risk.
(Our “06880” Opinion pages are open to all readers. To learn more, email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
