Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular Float to Feature SPS Teacher Of The Year
Arts & Entertainment
Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular Float to Feature SPS Teacher Of The Year The 2024-2025 Stamford Public Schools Teacher of the Year will be featured in this year's parade, set for Nov. 24.STAMFORD, CT — Among the giant balloons, marching bands and entertainers, spectators attending the 31st annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular on Sunday, Nov. 24, will be treated to the familiar faces of many respected members of the community.
One float in particular is a perpetual favorite, carrying a beloved teacher on a float themed to her specific endeavors within the classroom.
Carolyn Tschinkel, a kindergarten schoolteacher at Stillmeadow Elementary School and 2024-2025 Stamford Public Schools Teacher of the Year, will be riding on one the parade's four floats, entitled "Guiding Through A Magical World of Nursery Rhymes."
Tschinkel has been teaching for 33 years, including in kindergarten, first and second grade, and this year is her 25th year teaching in Stamford..
"Tschinkel describes her job as a childhood dream come true. Her greatest accomplishment in her teaching career has been creating a classroom environment where students develop a love for learning, and they are very motivated to succeed in school," said Stamford Downtown in a news release. "She feels her greatest contribution to education is the success of her students. She loves going to work every day and working with her students."
Tschinkel was chosen for the award because of her efforts to create a welcoming learning environment for her diverse group of students.
Some of her strategies included "differentiated instruction, hands-on centers and projects for tactile learners, wall displays and charts for visual learners and music centers for auditory learners."
Planned highlights of the parade include The Greatest Showman on Earth, Daredevil, Comedian, Legend, Bello Nock , and 15 giant balloons such as favorites Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head, Oscar the Grouch, Rudolph, Scooby-Doo, Shrek, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more.
In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will also be filled with fabulous floats, dance groups and marching bands, including the 175-member Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band, NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums and high school groups from high school marching bands from Westhill, Trumbull, John F. Kennedy from Waterbury, Brentwood, Uniondale and Wyandanch.
There will also be dance groups including Center Stage Dance Studio, City Center Dance Performing Company, Dance on the DL, Hoop Girls of Stamford, Ladies of Finesse Dance Company, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford and The Pulse Performing Arts Studio's nova jazz. Master of Ceremonies: Colin Cosell, PA Announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will once again be the parade's Master of Ceremonies for his third year.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Nov. 24 at the intersection of Summer Street at Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street, just a few short blocks from the Stamford Metro-North Railroad Station.
On Nov. 23, those wishing for a behind-the-scenes look at how the parade's giant helium balloons come to life are invited to attend the Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party. This pre-parade event takes place from 3-6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street in Stamford Downtown, and will allow spectators an up-close-and-personal look at the balloons as they take to the sky in preparation for their flights above the streets of Stamford.
The party will offer music, clowns and cartoon characters, and a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Spectators will be treated to special performances by the legendary daredevil and comedian Bello Nock and Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford. The event is a perfect sampling of parade talent and is sure to delight spectators of all ages.
