Each September, Ponaganset High School in North Scituate, Rhode Island, recites in unison the school’s Inclusion Pledge, which promotes acceptance, respect and unity. “We have seen an incredible benefit for our entire student body, staff and faculty,” says special education teacher Jennifer Paolantonio (RI ’19). “It has evolved into a schoolwide culture of empathy and compassion.”
Tech powerhouse Adam Parvanta (ME ’19) likes helping students hone important skills and refine their creative vision as they produce their own video content: “It’s awesome to see the look of accomplishment on their faces when they finally finish a huge project.”
Games figure prominently in the curriculum of science teacher Rachel O’Kelley (NC ’19) because they keep students engaged: “In my classroom, competition drives learning.”
Kristen Musgrove (FL ’19) tells her sixth-graders at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School that she will be their “at school Momma,” pushing them to work hard and fighting for them when necessary: “They know when they walk in my room they are loved, no matter what.”
Nate Kirsch (TN ’19) hopes his students leave his class confident in their ability to tackle tough issues: “The ability to stay put and keep fighting when things are hard will help them thrive in relationships, at work and in life.”
Leslie Sullivan (SC ’19) turned her $25,000 Milken Award into an economics lesson on taxation and budgeting: “When students are engaged with the content, they remember far more of it.”
In addition to her science classes at North Pole High School, Rebecca Missler (AK ’19) has taken students to Belize and Costa Rica with the International Club. “Many students in Alaska have never left the state,” she says. “I love seeing them step outside their comfort zone as they embrace different cultures.”
No one understands Southwest Junior High School students better than Principal Omar Duron (AZ ’19), who arrived in San Luis in third grade as an English language learner. “I use my life stories as examples,” he says. “I truly hope to make a difference in their lives.”
Melissa Fike (MO ’19) struggled with math in middle school, but a high school teacher sparked her love for the subject. That’s what drew her to teaching: “I wanted the opportunity to share with students how exciting math can be.”
Math teacher Candice Harrington (CA ’19) loves watching the changes in her students as they morph from scared, “spongy” ninth-graders to confident, opinionated, funny seniors: “Not a day goes by that I don’t laugh out loud.”
