Hamden’s Intensive Support Classrooms

Katherine Betle is the Operations Manager for High Road School at Hamden In-District Classrooms. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology from Western New England University and a Master of Science in Special Education from Quinnipiac University. Katherine began her journey with High Road in 2018 as a Special Education Teacher at the Wallingford campus. In 2019, she was promoted to Lead Special Education Teacher and was honored as the 2022 High Road School of Wallingford Teacher of the Year. After a brief hiatus, she returned as Operations Manager, bringing deep experience and a strong commitment to student success. Her core belief is that every child has the potential to succeed—there are no “bad kids,” only mistakes and difficult days. She believes in the power of second chances and that through strong relationships and shared effort, we can teach students the tools they need to grow, cope, and thrive.

Lisa Kaplan joined the team as the school social worker for the Hamden Middle School Intensive Support Classroom for the 24-25 school year. Ms. Kaplan received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Sacred Heart University in 2021 and a Masters of Social Work from Sacred Heart in 2024. She is excited to join the school community, where she plans to provide a fun and interactive environment for all of her students. In her spare time, Lisa loves family hikes and is often found at the ice rink cheering on her son, who plays youth hockey.

Steven Parravano is the school social worker for Dunbar Hill’s Intensive Support Classroom. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020 and a master’s degree in Social Work from Sacred Heart University in 2023. He looks forward to continuing to create positive relationships and a safe but exciting environment for all. Outside of work, Steven enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as playing basketball and golf.

John Lasko joined the High Road School of Wallingford campus in 2019 as a Teacher Assistant. Throughout his time there he took on many roles across both the primary and high school campuses including 1:1 Paraprofessional, Teaching Assistant and substitute teacher before joining the in-district program at Dunbar Elementary School in Hamden. Mr. Lasko began his journey in Hamden as a Teacher Assistant and served as a long term substitute in the 4th-6th grade classroom during the 2020-2021 school year following the school closure due to COVID-19. Mr. Lasko was the program lead for all of Hamden’s Intensive Support Classrooms during the 2022-2023 school year and was a DSAP Special Education teacher for the 3rd-6th grade classroom during the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Lasko received his BA from Southern Connecticut State University in Physical Education. He is excited to return this fall as a long term substitute teacher as he completes his Comprehensive Special Education program at Southern. He plans to maintain a passion for facilitating well-rounded educational experiences for all students by utilizing his experience with core subjects and physical education.

Cyntrea Dixon is beginning her first year at Dunbar Hill’s Intensive Support Classroom as a special education teacher. She has 4 years of previous teaching experience. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2021 with a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. Then She then furthered her education by getting her Masters in Special Education from Sacred Heart University in 2022. She looks forward to helping and watching students grow and achieve their goals.