Our Staff
Giovanna Adams, MSW, CDP
Director & Principal Organizational/Educational Equity Consultant
Giovanna Adams is an Equity Specialist, Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant, Equity Coach, and Strategic Equity Planner with over 15 years of experience across sectors.
She has a background in psychiatric care and has experience with both adults and teens with dual psychiatric diagnosis's in a private Psychiatric facility in New England.
Giovanna is certified as a Curriculum Developer and facilitator/trainer with comprehensive knowledge of Racial Equity, Antiracism, SEL, Cultural Responsiveness Training, Trauma-Informed Pratices, and more. She holds certifications in Teaching for Equity and Justice, Conversations on Race, Bias and Equity, Inclusive Leadership, Intercultural Competency in Education, Race, Gender, and Equity in the Workplace, Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in the workplace, and 120-hour TESOL. She is also skilled in data analysis and REDIJ research methods.
In addition to her work with A.C.E., Giovanna is also a Senior Equity Consultant for a social impact organization that focuses on organizational equity development, an Equity Coach with Sustainable CT, a CT Governor endorsed member of the CT Council on Teacher Professional Standards and the REDI Chair of the CT Arts Alliance.
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Giovanna is a classically trained vocalist and an award-winning illustrator.
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Pronouns: She, her, ela
Traci Wells
Co-Facilitator & Assistant Curriculum Developer
​My name is Traci Wells, and I live in Harwinton with my husband, two school-aged children, two cats, many koi, and a chameleon. We have lived here for nine years, having chosen Harwinton for the educational opportunities and homey community it offered.
I grew up in Waterbury, CT, attending their public schools and then returned to work as an educator and school counselor for fifteen years. Even at a young age, I believed in the power of advocacy, and as such spoke out for students and communities whom I felt needed an ally.
My statements regarding the need for education and understanding for people and communities whom the dominant culture sees as “other” were acknowledged in the Republican-American newspaper as well as The Advocate.
As an adult, I have carried that passion for positive change forward in my teaching and counseling positions. I strive to help my students find and use their voices to speak up for themselves as well as to stand up for those who struggle to speak out. I also focus on finding common ground among diverse opinions in order to help break down the dividing walls between people. I believe communication and education are the cornerstones of understanding and equality.
I look forward to the development of curriculum that helps our communities have open conversations, where we can recognize the diversity that exists within ourselves, embrace diversity in others, and work toward building a more equitable community for all.
Pronouns: She, her & hers
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Michelle Weaver
Legal Counsel
Michelle Weaver is an education consultant and in-house counsel at the State Education Resource Center (SERC) in Middletown, CT. Her consultant work centers on helping to improve school climates, specifically as they relate to behavior and equity. She trains schools on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She is endorsed by the Northeast PBIS Network.
Michelle enjoys reading and listening to books and also listens to a variety of podcasts. Her interests are public education, equity and racial identity.
When Michelle was a child, her family immigrated to the United States from London. She lives in Harwinton with her husband and sons.
Pronouns: She, her & hers
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