He gets a bigger lift
HE USED to manage health clubs. Now he teaches kindergartners. Scott Krivitsky could not be happier. “I love it,” said Krivitsky, 58, the father of two grown children. “It’s the greatest job in the world.”
Krivitsky switched careers 12 years ago, and now teaches at Public School 188 in Coney Island. He emphasizes hands-on projects and collaboration with the community.
He created the first elementary school robotics program in District 21 and the Brooklyn Marine STEM Alliance, bringing schools together to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math.
“Many kids are hands-on kinesthetic learners,” he said. “To give them standardized tests is not fulfilling their needs.”
For his enthusiasm and hard work, Krivitsky (photo) has been nominated for a Daily News Hometown Heroes in Education award. Parents, students and educators across the city are nominating teachers and other school staffers for the award. Winners will be announced in August.
Krivitsky’s emphasis on hands-on learning cuts across all age groups. His kindergartners make boats, and older students interview Coney Island merchants on camera.
“You have to be creative,” said Krivitsky, who used the interviews for “Let’s Talk Brooklyn,” a show on local cable. He is also working with local groups to bring a marine barge to the Coney Island Creek to nurture a love of science and nature.
Krivitsky said fostering a firm but caring manner has enabled him to reach even the most frustrated and difficult students.
“I sat with one student and told him, ‘I’m here for you. I’m not going to yell at you,’ ” he said. “But I told him he had to trust me.” The child broke into tears, saying he had no one at home who could talk with him. The youngster is now a success story.
“The smiles on my students’ faces tell me I’m really making a difference — one step at a time,” he said.