Fifth Grade English Language Arts

Story’s impact for education began when she was hired by the Elizabeth Public School System to be an Urban School Service Corp Rep in George Washington School No. 1 from 1993-1995. This program was designed for college students to work in schools to help tutor and mentor students below grade level. Story was introduced to two phenomenal women: Ella Hopson (Supervisor) and Mrs. Santina Conte (Master Teacher). While working this program, Story was enrolled at Kean University for Biology Pre-Professional (seeking to become a pediatrician). However, these two women along with the principal, Mr. Fontaine Haynes, convinced her that teaching and educating our youth was something she needed to do. Mrs. Hopson was her grandmother’s friend and was Story’s mentor and huge supporter. Story emphasized that she never witnessed two women so invested in something they were passionate about. Mrs. Hopson did not tolerate slacking and she helped Story to discover the person she was destined to be (an educator). Mrs. Conte’s passion for reading and teaching others how to read made Story thrive as a life-long learner with a passion for reading. Story continues to hold Mrs. Conte’s vision alive through her own motto: Even the most disadvantaged students can learn. Although Story may be viewed as a “no-nonsense” teacher/educator, every student who has ever met her, leaves her with an understanding that she is a warm, caring, and loving teacher who wants all children to be successful learners. She works hard to create a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, and adaptive to the varied needs of students. Story is committed to professional ethics, standards of practice, and the care and education of young children. Story takes pride in her ability to establish meaningful partnerships.

Story's approach to her classroom upholds a commitment where students are encouraged, loved, supported, and helped by her. In Story's classroom quality conditions are displayed in which fewer students and teachers are frustrated. Students are made to feel they belong, they respect authority, there is fun in learning with the use of whole-brain learning, and each student experiences a sense of freedom in the process. Story lives by the mottos: “Progress over Perfection” and “No one is Better than Anyone (people just move differently)”. Story knows when a child feels accepted by his/her teacher and peers, the student is able to accept himself as a valued and worthy person (no matter the circumstances). Story knows that the classroom atmosphere you create as a teacher and the way you interact daily with children has the greatest development of quality learning and at the same time reduce discipline problems to a minimum. Story is known for her great classroom management and her strong relationships with her students.

Pre-K Child Development Associate

The love of children and having a nurturing instinct to help them become little people for our future were factors that influenced my decision to choose my profession. Children are loveable and I’m proud to be an anchor for some children that sometimes do not get extra attention at home.

Not only do I work as a paraprofessional but my day starts before that as I work at the beforecare and aftercare with Catapult. I am always there for any child or colleague that need me. I still have children that I may have taught years ago and they still remember the impact that I had on them while they were in the classroom with me.