HEAD OF THE CLASS
WINNERS OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PROVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD CHILDREN
St. James Regional Catholic School teacher Cheryl Scartozzi discusses ‘Fever 1793,’ by Laurie Halse Anderson with her eighth grade social studies class. Scartozzi is one of 19 teachers honored with the Excellence in Teaching awards.
NAME: Megan Cini SCHOOL: Leedom Elementary SUBJECT:
Health and physical education YEARS IN EDUCATION: 13 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
Being able to see students with all different abilities conquer the same goal in their own unique way, excited to tell you about the fact that they were successful. Creating an environment where students are using good sportsmanship and problem solving on their own.
NAME: Nicholas Pignataro SCHOOL: Parkside and Pennell elementary schools SUBJECT: Instrumental Music (Band Director) YEARS IN EDUCATION: 7 GREATEST SATISFACTION:
My greatest satisfaction in teaching comes when students don’t seem to need me. I’m there to help if they want it, but when they work independently it means they’ve taken an ownership of their learning. I hope that independence helps them to become better citizens.
NAME: Cheryl Scartozzi SCHOOL: Saint James Regional Catholic School SUBJECT: English Language Arts YEARS IN EDUCATION: 44 GREATEST SATISFACTION:
Knowing that I am shaping young minds for the future. I have exposed my students to Shakespeare, Poe, Agatha Christie, Haper Lee etc. When the graduates return to see me and tell me that they feel very comfortable with their classes and are excelling in ELA, I feel I’ve prepared them well.
NAME: Gemma Amoroso SCHOOL: Media Elementary SUBJECT: 4th grade YEARS IN EDUCATION:
15 years GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
Seeing my students’ eye light up when they finally “get it,” watching a struggling student who realizes they are capable and begins to believe in themself and views themself as a capable learner.
NAME: Fran Trefz SCHOOL: Garnet Valley Middle School SUBJECT: Special Education YEARS IN EDUCATION: 25 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
It’s wonderful when you can help someone understand something or learn a new skill or communicate better; my best memories are tiny but exciting breakthroughs.
NAME: Connie Allison SCHOOL: Prospect Park School SUBJECT: Elementary YEARS IN EDUCATION: 21 GREATEST SATISFACTION:
I love seeing the journey of my second grade students. Meeting them in September, greeting happy faces every day, watching them grow as learners, and following them through, not only until the end of the school year, but through their school years until they graduate. I continue to follow their stories.
NAME: Peg Makela SCHOOL: Russell School, Broomall SUBJECT: K-5 Library YEARS IN EDUCATION: 26 years GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
Matching the right book with the right student at the right time; seeing students’ faces light up with the delight of sharing a book with them; knowing their appreciation of learning how to research online finding the answers they seek.
NAME: Bernadette Udovich SCHOOL: Garrettford Elementary SUBJECT: Fifth grade YEARS IN EDUCATION: 20 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
When my students have that “ah ha” moment. I love when my students ask questions to understand the process that leads them to understand the concept. Their eyes brighten and a smile is on their face. Right then and there… they get it and their self-confidence builds.
NAME: Patricia Commale SCHOOL: Cardinal O’Hara SUBJECT: Social Studies YEARS IN EDUCATION: 15 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
When you can see in their eyes or their expression that “ah ha” moment. When they make their own connections and bring thoughts or questions to class discussions that you, the teacher, hadn’t thought of.
NAME: Stephanie Gaffney SCHOOL: Boothwyn Elementary SUBJECT: 4th grade YEARS IN EDUCATION: 9 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
Making impacting student relationships and helping to support students to succeed!
NAME: Michael Zubert SCHOOL: Springfield High School SUBJECT: Music – choir YEARS IN EDUCATION: 5 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
The best thing about teaching is knowing that every day is another opportunity to sing and make music together. No class or rehearsal is the same and every chance to sing together is another chance to create and take the music to a deeper level.
NAME: Melisa Civitella SCHOOL: Radnor High School SUBJECT: Social Studies YEARS IN EDUCATION: 13 GREATEST TEACHING SATISFACTION:
When students both understand history and make their own real-life connections to the content.