Curriculum & Instruction
Meet Our Curriculum & Instruction Team
Jessica Gomez-Bedosky
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Jessica Gomez-Bedosky is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction for Goodwin University Magnet School System (GUMSS). In her role, she provides leadership and vision for all district academic programs, curriculum development, and instructional practices, and ensures that the written curriculum is aligned with state standards. In addition, she plans, coordinates, and leads all professional development for district staff. Lastly, in coordination with the administrators, Jessica ensures that quality and vetted resources are provided to educators for their classroom. Prior to her arrival at GUMSS, she was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Thomaston Public Schools for three years. Jessica spent most of her career in the Ansonia Public School system, where she taught in the alternative program at Ansonia HIgh School and finally at Ansonia Middle School where she taught 8th grade for seven years. In 2020, she became the first Math/Science Instructional Coach of the middle school, where she was able to launch a new math curriculum, build data teams, manage PLC's and develop assessments that aligned to state standards. Jessica's strengths are teaching and leading in urban districts. A New York City student herself, she understands the importance of providing the very best resources and opportunities for our students. She loves being at GUMSS and is proud of the growth we have seen in the last several years.
Anja Pennell
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Director
Grades K-8 | RMS | CTRA Middle Level Program
Career & Technical Education (CTE) is an approach to learning that combines rigorous academics with career exploration. CTE provides scholars the opportunity to engage in hands-on, project-based learning, which not only teaches how knowledge can be applied outside of the classroom, but also builds critical, real-world skills in preparation for the workforce, training, and/or post-secondary education.
As CTE Director, Anja Pennell supports curriculum development around Goodwin University Magnet School System's pathways of Business & Administration, Health Science & Nursing, Computer Science, and Manufacturing & Engineering, ensuring alignment with Connecticut's workforce needs and collaborating with educators, administrators, and industry partners. Beginning at Riverside Magnet School (RMS), elementary scholars are exposed to a wide range of STEM fields through engaging investigations and inquiry, as they are encouraged to ask questions about the pathways and other subjects. At CTRA Middle Level, scholars learn to apply critical thinking skills and utilize prior learning to further explore STEM fields and identify a pathway meaningful to them as they transition to high school. By exposing scholars to a wide range of careers before high school, CTE empowers them discover who they are and develop their skills and knowledge in a logical progression towards adulthood.
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As STEM & CTE Coordinator for Grades 9-12, Keith Sevigny is dedicated to furthering the development of the GUMSS Pathway Program to best equip our scholars to have fruitful careers or pursue post-secondary education upon graduation. Keith supports scholars' access to and achievement in advanced placement and/or college coursework, industry-recognized certifications, and job-related work experiences, from job shadows to internships and pre-apprenticeships for scholars at Connecticut River Academy and the Early College Advanced Manufacturing Pathway (ECAMP). His collaboration with educational and industry partners across Connecticut provides our scholars with opportunities that allow them to get a jump start on their careers and begin to build hard skills. Keith's connections and expertise in developing innovative curricula & engaging teaching practices also support our high school scholars at RiverTech as they pursue paid internships and apprenticeships to develop their future-ready skills to apply within emerging technologies and professions in the state.
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The Multilingual Learner (ML) Program at GUMSS supports K-12 students who speak a home language other than English and are not yet proficient in English. The program emphasizes English language development and offers bilingual (Spanish/English) support as needed to access the core curriculum in grade-level and pathway-specific programs.
Karen Lapuk is an experienced bilingual leader with over three decades of service in K–12 and higher education settings. Karen holds a B.A. from Smith College, two master's degrees, one in Bilingual Education from San Francisco State University, another one in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut, and a sixth year in Educational Leadership from Sonoma State. Her work spans curriculum design, teacher coaching, equity-focused leadership, and international teacher education, with a deep commitment to social justice and educational access for English learners.
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Connecticut’s Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program is a statewide induction program designed to support beginning teachers during their first years in the profession. Through a combination of 1:1 mentorship, professional learning modules, and guided reflection, new teachers work closely with trained mentors to strengthen their instructional skills, classroom management, and ability to meet the diverse needs of students. Families should know that TEAM helps ensure their child’s teacher is receiving high-quality support, which leads to stronger, more consistent instruction in the classroom. For teachers, the program provides a structured, supportive pathway to grow professionally, build confidence, and successfully transition into their role within Connecticut schools.
