Jennifer Giannino

Tell us why you became a teacher

Working at camps, I always enjoyed the innocence of the younger campers. Their bright eyes and curiosities and how they viewed the world. I made the decision at that point that teaching was my path. Giving me the opportunity to shape minds and make lasting impacts. Of course teaching academics skills would open their world to numerous possibilities. Teaching collaboration, flexibility and grit through all subjects, science in particular. 😉 My end goal, making positive lifetime impacts.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I taught a student with medical needs and grew close to the family. Years later, when she needed a kidney, I was a match. I shared this story during a school assembly on kindness, reminding students that kindness doesn’t have to be grand it can be as simple as a greeting or including someone at recess. Years later, former students returned to interview me for a project remembering my story. My greatest memory is the lasting impacts I may have on my students and school community.

What would you do with the $25,000?

So much can be done with $25,000. Kindness in schools and in people is important to me. I would look to develop or help to bring programs into schools that support building positive relationships that can help them succeed always. Take the opportunity to celebrate my colleagues and teacher friends by hosting a celebratory event that honors their hard work and commitment to their students and families.