Our Teachers
All of our teachers at Villa Maria School are state-certified in special education. They are professionals – knowledgeable, compassionate, patient, and sensitive to the various learning styles of our students. They challenge students, emphasizing the mastery of reading, writing and mathematics skills, but they also provide a nurturing, supportive environment in which students can learn and succeed.
Teacher SpotlighT
Name: Christine Gioielli
College: Marist College
Graduate School: Fairfield University
Majors: BA in Psychology/Special Education; Working towards a Masters in School Counseling
Hobbies: Spending quality time with friends and family, shopping, reading, watching movies and dining out!
Grade and subject: 6th,7th and 8th Reading and Social Studies
Ways they make a difference and break through to students: I try to make a difference and break through to my students by simply letting them know that I am there for them every day, whether it be for academic support or just to lend an ear. I have found that once I have established that trusting relationship with my students we are much more productive within the classroom environment.
And perhaps a success story or two:
As a beginning teacher it is always rewarding to know any small difference that one can make in a child's life. During my three years at Villa Maria, I have found myself quickly establishing bonds with my kids, and as any teacher does, really have had a desire to see them succeed. I connected with one student in particular who came to Villa lacking any interest in and an overall frustration with reading. With hard work and a bit of convincing, this student came to discover that she had potential in this area and was voluntarily going to the library and bookstore to pick out new books on topics that interested her. By the end of the year, this student left with a more positive attitude towards reading and towards her ability to succeed in this subject area. I can only hope that I have inspired her to further her potential and grow as a learner. Each year, I aim to inspire my students and assist them in discovering their full potential. With the small class-size at Villa Maria, I have had the opportunity to get to know my students "inside and out." This familiarity allows me to consistently tie in their outside interests into the classroom environment and build their self-confidence, which consequently encourages them to put their best foot forward and reach for the stars!