Spotlight: Maria Santonastaso (RI '24)

Rhode Island Milken Educator Maria Santonastaso (RI ‘24) is a kindergarten teacher at Glen Hills Elementary School in Cranston. Santonastaso is known for inspiring curiosity and creativity for each student through mindfulness, collaborative teaching, and project-based learning. Santonastaso received a 2024–25 Rhode Island Milken Educator Award on October 22, 2024, launching the 2024-25 Milken Educator Award season.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise?

My students' new favorite thing is saying my first name since they learned it during the assembly. They think it is the coolest thing ever. Students in the other grades still congratulate me when they see me in the hallway!

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator? Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped your practices or motivation to teach?

I am lucky enough to have a range of role models from different chapters of life. My mom is a natural caregiver and began working with toddlers when I was in elementary school. Her boss was wonderful and allowed me to stay with her during school breaks and after school. During this time I "worked" alongside my mom and watched her nurture little students. 

In high school, I was in the career and technical program at my high school in ... you guessed it … child development. Through this work, I began my first job at a pre-school, owned by my child development teacher, as soon as I got my license as a junior. I worked there all through college and only left when I had to student-teach full time. I learned so much during this time, especially on how to work closely with families as well as working with children from birth through school age! 

In my student teaching, I was blessed to end up with an amazing mentor. I learned so much about using best practices in early childhood. This challenged me to create lessons that meet the standards while integrating the content areas in a natural way. I created a frog-themed unit which will always have a special place in my memories! Through this work I was able to smoothly transition into using an evidence- and play-based integrated curriculum in my current work.  

Through my undergrad work at Rhode Island College, I also gained a mentor, who introduced me to Reggio Emilia. I dove into this work through my own research, attended a study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and even worked at an after-school program in a local Reggio-based school for a short time, just to be immersed in it. This mentor also encouraged me to get my master’s degree and encouraged me to teach adjunct at RIC, both of which I was able to make possible thanks to her believing in me, supporting me and guiding me along the way.

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching and/or administration. What memories stand out? Who or what helped you through it?

My first two years as a teacher were at our early childhood center, which only holds two classrooms. The rest of the building is made up of special services, service provider offices, child outreach, and the director of early childhood. In this unique setting, I was able to learn from those around me and create a sense of community. Those years were very special. I was the first educator there to initiate taking our self-contained classrooms on a field trip. It took a lot of organizing, chaperones and support, but we made it happen, and it was a success! I also hosted a community gardening event on a Saturday, where families were invited to help us beautify our outdoor space. I still see the lasting effects when I drive by the building. I was lucky enough to have a role model in the teacher who left the classroom to take on a different job in the same building. She mentored me and supported me during IEPs through letting me observe her and also providing feedback. She was a valuable resource to me during those years, and I am lucky enough to still call her a friend. She still gets invited to my class every year during Reading Week!

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you?

They say you won't always remember what someone said, but you always remember how they made you feel. I hope my students always remember feeling special from their time with me in kindergarten.

MFF: What inspired the implementation of students having fourth grade “buddies?” Can you elaborate on how peer involvement has helped you engage in a more collaborative learning environment?

I student-taught in a very special first grade classroom. Many practices I learned there were adopted into my own classroom, one of them being fourth-grade-ready buddies! The students in kindergarten have a special role model to look up to and the fourth graders love to take on the role of a mini educator. These relationships often evolve into those fourth graders having extra jobs such as coming in for peer tutoring. We also started having an end-of-the-year celebration together where our kindergarten students receive their end-of-the-year superlative awards with their buddies as the audience. Their buddy presents them with their certificate and they get a photo together. The following year when the students are in first and fifth grade, they continue to have this relationship!

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?

We need more teachers who are willing to do the hard work of being a teacher. Some days are tough but the rewarding aspect of the job will always come out on top. My advice would be to network, make connections, find your passion, and interweave it in all you do!

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school?

My plan this summer is to really think: what's next? I want to get some ideas and thoughts down on paper and see where that takes me!