PETE DECANDIA
Founder & CEO
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
In December of my first year teaching my students finally figured out my first name and one day after lunch I came back to my classroom to “Peter” written hundreds of times on all of my white boards and blackboards.
CLEMENTINE JACOBS
Senior Teacher Community Coordinator
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
One day, a student asked me how to say “carne asada” in English which literally translates to “grilled meat.” I told him that there is no translation and we also call it “carne asada” just like how we say “taco” and “tortilla” without translating. Upon hearing this, he laughed so hard we both had to leave the room because we could not stop! The next day, he presented me with a signed drawing of carne asada which holds a place of honor on the wall behind my desk.
Lillian Hlavin
Teacher Community Coordinator
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
There was a particular field trip in which we were visiting a farm, and one of the volunteers challenged our students that they could take a chicken home if they could catch it. There is nothing like watching 45 fourth and fifth graders chase after a chicken that they have no chance catching but the strong notion they’ll be coming back with a chicken.
Rams-lyne Thomas
Teacher Community Coordinator
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
While teaching a small group that was doing independent math work, one of the students was enthusiastically whispering to themselves. I stopped the student to ask what they were whispering about. The student replied, "I was acting out how you would teach this problem, Ms.Thomas".
Kate Zemlak
Marketing & Operations Manager
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
One year, I had a student who spoke very limited English. He was quiet, shy, and unsure of himself. By the end of the school year, he could speak full sentences and had improved majorly in his reading and writing. On top of it, he also made friends and you could see his true personality starting to shine!
Andy Weinstein
Artist in Residence
FAVORITE TEACHER MOMENT
My favorite teacher moment was actually during my onboarding and orientation day. Before getting started with the more menial and administrative tasks, my principal brought me into the cafeteria to introduce me to the elementary schoolers. Upon announcing that I was the new art teacher, the whole cafeteria went wild and a swarm of students ran up for hugs and high fives.