Vanessa Pinto

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I could speak another language. What began as just a side job, shortly became my passion. Since then I have learned about strategies and different ways of teaching, got my Master's, but still, what makes me lobe every day is the connection I make with every student and how willing they are to learn.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have so many amazing experiences but I would say a Korean student I had in Brazil. He could not speak Portuguese or English and spent 6 months in school without saying a word. After winter break, he came to me with a whole letter in English, telling me that now he could read. It was beautiful. Last year I also had a kid that came in the middle of the year, super immature and not read for all the demands of Kindergarten. In 6 months he grew so much that his mom couldn't control her emotions.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am trying to apply for a Phd. Program because I would like to research about the connection between bilingual brains and giftedness and I would also like to advocate more for play based learning in the first years of Elementary School. Students need more time to develop social-emotional skills before learning about curriculum. They must love to learn before learning.