For the second time in her career, kindergarten teacher Sandra Fiorentino honored
There is only one teacher per school who earns the honor of being Teacher of the Year. At Radix Elementary School, that teacher is Sandra Fiorentino.
The Teacher of the Year voting process at Radix is a form sent to parents of the students. The parents fill out the form, and a committee reviews the responses.
Fiorentino is a kindergarten teacher with past experience as a first-grade teacher. Her favorite subject to teach is reading, but she is always striving for the “wow” factor.
“I love to teach the students something that will wow their parents, like different facts,” Fiorentino said. “I love teaching reading. It’s amazing to see them tap out words and read for themselves.”
The teacher draws her inspiration from her third-grade teacher Mrs. Fourer.
“She made me feel like I was the only student in class, and she did that for all of the students. I don’t remember what she taught, but I remember how she made me feel,” Fiorentino said.
She tries to mimic that atmosphere for her students.
Fiorentino, a Glassboro State alumna, notes the highlight of her year is the progress the children make.
“They come in knowing a few letters, now they know the whole alphabet and can tap out a few words,” she said.
She added she owes everything to the students.
“They’re my heroes,” she said. “They inspire me every year with how eager they are to learn. I want to provide a safe, happy place for them to learn and build friendships. They’re more of a family than students in a classroom.”
This year marks the second time in her 27 years as a teacher that Fiorentino was awarded Teacher of the Year honors.
“I was surprised and humbled,” Fiorentino said. “I’m very honored. It makes me feel like all of the hard work I’ve done is appreciated. It’s very rewarding, I feel the parents of my students supporting me.”
Fiorentino said when they made the announcement, her principal and all of her students were in attendance.
“It was very special, I won’t forget it,” she said. “I think my students were more proud than I was.”
In addition to the presentation by the principal with her students, she was given a luncheon at Rowan College at Gloucester County, awarded a small clock, had an announcement at a board meeting and council meeting, and soon will be at a PTA meeting.
Finally, Fiorentino went on to thank her co-workers and principal for their support.
“My principal was so supportive and went to all of the events,” she said. “I have a lot of support staff [basic skills teachers, English language learners specialists], it’s a collective effort. It takes a village to teach the children.”
The children she teaches are the focal point of Fiorentino’s success.
“The children are wonderful,” she said. “They’re hard-working, and their parents are wonderful.”
