Daysi Poggo: Southeast Learning Community Teacher Of The Year

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

4/23/2021

After Matthews Elementary School's Daysi Poggo found out that she had been named the Southwest Learning Community Teacher of the year, she was in shock. Only teachers who are the best get this honor is how she felt. She wondered what made her stand out among all of the other Southwest Learning Community finalists.

The kindergarten teacher knew what she needed to do to find the answer.

"Do I think of myself as one of the best? Completely no! I have learned from some Teachers of the Year by being their assistant," said Poggo. "I went back and read my submission. I have always been a reflective learner. Rereading it helped me understand."

Poggo has been a teacher at Matthews Elementary for the past four years, but she has been in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools since 2007 when she began as a bilingual translator for the Bright Beginnings program. It was here that she knew she wanted to become a teacher. Spending time with the kids influenced this decision. Back to school she went, first at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and then virtually through Western Carolina University.

While working on her teaching degree she kept working in CMS. She started as a teacher assistant at Lebanon Road Elementary, but budget cuts forced her to Billingsville Leadership Academy as a kindergarten assistant. The next year she moved to her current home, Matthews Elementary, as a pre-K assistant. Poggo was able to do her student teaching at Matthews. She performed so well that the principal brought her on as a kindergarten teacher.

Four years later she is celebrating as the Southeast Learning Community Teacher of the year.

When asked to tell why Poggo is Teacher of the year, the principal at Matthews Elementary, Penni Crisp, did not use her words, but those of the school's leadership team.

"Daysi is always a team player during planning. She creates and shares resources with her whole team. Her philosophy is that it takes a village; she will help with any kindergartener, not just her own students."

"Ms. Poggo's energy and love for all children is inspiring. Her constant desire for feedback to support learning and the growth of her students is valued as she continues to grow each day in this profession."

"The word that comes to mind when I think of Daysi is 'authentic'. There is no pretense; she speaks from the heart with sincerity and passion for her students."

"Ms. Poggo is a breath of fresh air and a testament to working hard to reach your goal. She cares so deeply for her students and families and goes above and beyond to ensure that they are getting a kindergarten experience even fully remote. I appreciate her excitement, authenticity, and her willingness to do anything to meet the needs of all students."

"Ms. Poggo is passionate about teaching and is committed to providing excellence to her students their families. She is in tune with the diverse needs of her students and works tirelessly to address their unique strengths and challenges. Ms. Poggo is a collaborative and much appreciated member of the school community."

To describe herself and who she is, there are three words: empathy, silliness, and creativity. She learned about being empathetic from a teacher she was an assistant for, her awareness of silliness came from another teacher and this year of unusual learning situations has brought out her creativity.

Poggo is quick to point out that her creativity is not about artistic ability, but making sure she is reaching her students while they were learning on the computer. That has taken extreme creativity. Now she gets to show all of CMS that she has reached those students.

"I have a poster up in my classroom. It is the root of empathy. It says, We Are All a Kindergarten Family! That is who we are in my classroom!"

This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.