Student Success
I believe that teaching with compassion, respect, and encouragement is the key to unlocking a child’s potential. I strive to create an environment where students feel supported, heard and respected. I am dedicated to listening to each student, understanding their individual needs and helping them reach their goals. I believe that by providing a caring and supportive atmosphere, our students can achieve success.
Compassion
Having compassion for students is paramount when assisting them in understanding difficult concepts. I find that students are incredibly hard on themselves. Through compassion, a teacher can seek ways to uplift the student and help find a path to understanding. This path may help the student with a tough home environment and little compassion, away from self-doubt and insecurities, or through a misunderstanding of prior learning. Regardless of the circumstances, teaching with compassion for the individual student will create a classroom of security and support.
Respect
Students will only be vulnerable and open to questioning their understanding when they are in an environment of respect for one another and the teacher. Building a classroom of respect takes time and effort, especially in the fourth and fifth grades, where the students are trying to find their voices and emulating the negativity that is prevalent in the world around them. This requires an environment where failing to get the correct answer is encouraged over not trying at all. Respect must start with the teacher and be modeled when students ask questions or make comments. It must also be demanded of the students for one another. Within a respectful environment, discussions can lead to greater understanding without the fear of judgment, ultimately leading to the student’s success.
Encouragement
With regular encouragement, the students will overcome the self-deprecating negativity that often accompanies repeated mistakes when learning new subjects. This is especially true when teaching math intervention. Encouraging students to try, then rewarding attempts as well as successes, will lead to students that are less apprehensive about learning new skills and building on those skills that they need more practice with. Having the students give encouragement to their peers will build up both the students that are trying and the students that are encouraging.
Ms. DeVicariis has proven herself to be a hard worker who consistently gives her best effort in all her endeavors. Her kind and compassionate ways have helped her readily build relationships with teachers and students. Ms. DeVicariis has done a good job engendering trust and building rapport with staff and students. Her calming presence creates a positive impact on students and their learning.
-Principal Laraissa Gill