Community Corner

Félicitations Mme Fiore, Professeur De L'année!

Eileen Fiore named Stonington High School Teacher of the Year

Madame Fiore, as she is known by students in her French classes at Stonington High School is also a mother of two, wife of St. Pius X School principal Henry Fiore, accomplished singer and recording artists and volunteer who helps teach English as a second language. She is well respected in her field as an educator and adored by her students.

And now, she is the Teacher of the Year at Stonington High School.

“What is this?” she exclaimed as SHS Principal Dr. Stephen H. Murphy, accompanied by schools Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Nikki Gullickson and Fiore’s husband and two sons – and an entourage of teachers, staff and students flooded into her second-floor classroom just after noon on Thursday. Surprised and humbled, she quickly set about to try and get her class back to normal. Which was no mean feat, given the classroom had erupted in cheers and applause over her being named Teacher of the Year.

The process begins when parents, students and teachers nominate a teacher and if the teacher chooses to go forward with the process is then asked to complete a very involved application that focuses on four key criteria: community involvement, civics involvement, high level staff development and expertise and innovation in teaching.

Fiore made the cut and then some. From her work as an educator, lifelong learner, student advisor (Noel Club, Water Club, Unified Talents and French Honor Society) and to her work in the community as a fundraiser and singer for the elderly and infirm. 

She will now have the opportunity to make the first day of school speech to welcome students back in the fall, a gift basket stuffed with goodies from local merchants and, the opportunity to compete at the state level.

“Oh my! Well, Oh …I don’t know what to say,” she exclaimed and said later she was  "honored" to have been named Teacher of the Year.

Here are some excepts from Fiore's application:

Next year will be my 20th year teaching. I was hired fresh out of college and here I am, still absolutely loving it (you do the math). My mother taught for 34 years and I think it’s in my blood. I have also always loved languages. French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, some German…a few basic phrases in Russian, Hungarian, Chinese... I remember working on a translation in college, flipping the pages of my enormous Larousse dictionary and saying to my roommate, “I could totally do this for the rest of my life.” My hobby turned into a career and I love inspiring that in my students and leading them to make languages their own.

 

My language classes have involved: games, activities, powerpoints, blogs, projects, skits, music, watching videos, making videos, singing, plays, concerts, food, guest speakers, restaurant and museum field trips, pen pals in France and Haiti, Skype sessions, painting, drawing, puppet shows, talent  shows, fashion shows...the list will continue to grow.

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With all the options there are to help learn language I absolutely believe and know that all children can learn. The fact that a student speaks English is like built in proof that he or she has the capability to learn a language.

Speaking honestly, I had a very demanding schedule teaching at both middle schools for many years- at one point 2 schools, 3 grades, 2 languages every day. It was hectic and overwhelming but once that door closed and they were all in their seats, all the coordinating, running, driving ….none of it mattered anymore. I was just with my kids, totally into the class and enjoying my time with them. Naturally there were good days and bad days but through all of it, I never wanted to quit. I wanted an easier schedule but I never wanted to stop teaching. That’s how I know I’m doing a job I love.

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