Michael Abelon was a true educator. 

He believed that all students deserved to learn in the best environment, with the best resources, and with the highest standards.  He supported his teachers and his students, inspiring those he worked with to work harder.  Mr. Abelon was ill for a long time before he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the winter of 2004, at which time he was given six months to live.  Despite this difficult news, he returned to work each day.  He greeted us every morning with a smile.  Connecticut IB Academy is what kept him going.

Mr. Abelon passed away on May 24th, 2005.  The Connecticut IB Academy community mourned his loss and looked for ways to remember him.  Shortly after his passing, Kaitlyn Brescia and Danielle Rodriguez, members of the class of 2007, approached the Student Advisory Board with an idea of how to honor their first principal and to keep his important memory alive at CIBA. Each year students organize the Abelon Memorial walk in his memory to honor all of the dedication that he put into developing CIBA and educating the community. Since 2006, the walk has been planned and executed by CIBA students including Priya Shah ('08), Diana Cuervo ('08), Ishaira Nieto Rosas ('10), Casey Dillon ('10), Nikicha Nieto Rosas ('12), Barbara Morrison ('12), Grace Morrison ('12), Cailyn Ogle ('12), and Nicole Damaschi ('12).