Behind every great student is a great teacher. These teachers make learning fun by thinking outside the box and creating classroom experiences that resonate with their students. They serve many roles in their schools, as spelling coaches, school bee coordinators and judges; more often than not, they are motivators who encourage their students to be the best they can be. In the “Teacher Feature,” we celebrate these educators and their commitment to their students' education.
This week's "Teacher Feature" puts the spotlight on Christine Ferreri, a 7th and 8th grade literature and language arts teacher at the Academy of Saint Paul in Ramsey, New Jersey. The Academy of Saint Paul is a part of the North Jersey Spelling Bee program, sponsored by the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs.
Karen Flanagan, a teacher at the Academy of Saint Paul who nominated this week's featured teacher, believes Mrs. Ferreri is very worthy of being highlighted because "she is passionate about all aspects of language arts, spelling, literature and vocabulary." Ms. Flanagan credits Mrs. Ferreri with bringing spelling and the Bee back into the curriculum for all kindergarten through eighth grade students, a project that took time and perseverance. Though Ms. Flanagan now coordinates their school spelling bee, Mrs. Ferreri assists with materials and serves as a judge on the day of the competition.
One of the unique ways that Mrs. Ferreri gets the students involved in language arts is by hosting "Open Mic Fridays" during Poetry Month. Students memorize poems and recite them from a platform at the front of Mrs. Ferreri's classroom, a great exercise in public speaking as well as memorization and language skills. She also emphasizes vocabulary in the classroom by posting a "Word of the Day" that she then encourages students to use in their written work or in conversation throughout the day.
According to Ms. Flanagan, her enthusiasm for language arts is contagious, and she is passionate about instilling a love of language in not only her students but the students in lower grades as well. The Academy of Saint Paul often pulls together different grade levels to enhance the curriculum, and Ms. Flanagan explained that younger students "actually beg the lower grade teachers to 'take a field trip' to Mrs. Ferreri's classroom."
The Scripps National Spelling Bee would like to thank Ms. Ferreri for implementing such creative ways to develop her students' spelling and vocabulary skills. Through these initiatives, she makes an impact on all of the students at the Academy of Saint Paul and not just those who are fortunate enough to learn from her in the classroom.
If you would like to nominate an educator for an upcoming "Teacher Feature," fill out this brief survey about the teacher you wish to nominate.