Parents share appreciation for outstanding educators in their children’s lives
By Courtney McGee
Every parent hopes their child will have that school experience. What a gift for children to start their educational path with a uniquely engaging and supportive teacher. Here, four stand-out educators in the Delaware Valley are applauded by grateful parents.
Teresa Long
Kindergarten
The Goddard School, Bala Cynwyd, PA
James Fox’s children enjoy a priceless bond with teacher Teresa Long. “We LOVE Ms. Teresa. Her teaching style is patient, genuinely engaging and all-encompassing,” says Fox. “Anyone that keeps a classroom of mini humans engaged and respectful in a loving, educational way, is a superhero.”
“[Long] takes a personal interest in all her students and wants to see them happy and successful,” Fox notes. Two years after leaving the school, Fox’s son River asks to go pick up his younger sister so he can visit Ms. Teresa and talk Phillies baseball. With River’s sibling Parker, Long created a special non-verbal cue to help curb a habit. “Ms. Teresa touches her ear and Parker knows to stop picking or biting her nails,” Fox says. Long reinforces education beyond school as well. The Foxes enjoy traveling and the outdoors.
“Ms. Teresa encourages Parker to present to the class about her activities and learnings outside the classroom,” he adds.
“Ms. Teresa is incredibly kind, warm, and approachable. She is attentive and thoughtful in ways I have rarely encountered in my 40 years on this planet,” Fox continues. “So much so that we’re willing to pay private school tuition another year to keep Parker with her instead of sending her to public kindergarten!”
Kelly Nastasi
Grades 1–6
Red Bridge Montessori House, Collegeville, PA
Javier Cortes’ 10-year-old daughter is in her first year at Red Bridge Montessori House (RBMH) but already loves Kelly Nastasi dearly. Moving to a new school is a big decision, and Nastasi wanted to make sure Elise felt confident and welcomed. “When we were considering coming to Red Bridge, Ms. Kelly made a play date for my daughter with her daughters,” Cortes shares. “It was really nice to get to know them and gave us a great impression of the school.”
It’s clear that Elise is thriving in Nastasi’s classroom. “My daughter respects Ms. Kelly and enjoys her class. She talks about learning new things all the time,” Cortes says. What’s more, he adds, “I’ve seen a significant difference in my child’s mental health since coming to Red Bridge and working with Ms. Kelly. She’s happier and able to communicate her feelings better.”
Mary Belle Laroque
Grade 3
Saint Norbert School, Paoli, PA
Kim Savage has had sons attending Saint Norbert for 12 years. She says “each was set up for success by Miss Mary Belle Laroque. She provided my boys with a classic Catholic educational experience, covering the reading, writing (and painstaking transition from print to cursive) and arithmetic basics, along with sacramental training.” The boys presented different needs as students. “One was anxious, one had learning delays and two of them excelled,” Savage adds. “They craved Mary Belle’s instruction style. Her classroom is calm, organized, challenging and full of love. Mary Belle knew how to manage each of their learning and behavioral styles, and her knowledge and experience helped guide me as a parent.”
Laroque’s skill as an educator especially shone during Covid, Savage recalls. “We’ll forever remember Mary Belle’s voice ringing through the family room/make-shift classroom. She was able to transfer all her charisms (a Christian term for spiritual gifts) to the online format seamlessly. Our now sixth-grader, Zachary, says, ‘Miss Laroque saved us!’”
Amy Robinson
Lower Elementary Guide
The Montessori School, Dresher, PA
Over the past 11 years, Tammy Tran’s three children have been educated by Amy Robinson. “Amy has been a huge part of our family,” Tran says. “Helping our children conquer challenges and sharing great joys such as welcoming our younger children.”
Sustained personal connections enhance Robinson’s effectiveness as an educator. “Ms. Robinson has an innate ability to understand and appreciate each child for who they are and bring out the best in them. She instills a lifelong love and yearning for knowledge that is priceless,” Tran explains. When Tran’s older daughter moved to middle school, Robinson met with teachers from the new school to ensure they understood her potential.
“She has infinite kindness and patience and has shaped our children into kind, open-minded and respectful human beings. Our children adore her, and we find their behavior reflects her the more they are around her,” Tran adds. “They even miss her when school is out and on snow days, and do not hesitate to tell us so.”
When a child feels as loved and understood at school as they do at home, that positive classroom experience spreads into the household, the community and the world beyond.
Parents celebrate these teachers, and others like them, as their own “Teacher of the Year” every day. Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6 to May 10.
