Passion for Reading Drives Cranston's Teacher of the Year

Walk into Stephanie DiChiro first-grade classroom at Garden City School and you'll find a "literacy wonderland," where children and teacher alike share a love of reading and books.

DiChiro, a 28-year veteran of the teaching profession — 27 of those years spent teaching first graders — doesn't stop with her students. There's the parents night she hosts after school, where a mini training session for moms and dads ensures academic support at home, reinforcing the curriculum. There's the book night during which her students read their own stories to parents and staff, often hilariously so. The author's tea, which brings writers into the school to talk, read and share the love of the written word.

It's a reflection of DiChiro's passion for teaching, writing and reading. And it still burns strong after 28 years in the classroom where she has been dutifully turning young, raw first graders into lifelong learners, setting the foundation for their entire academic careers.

The hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. On Monday, DiChiro was surprised by friends, family and her coworkers in the Garden City School library when she was handed an award: 2013 Cranston Public Schools' Teacher of the Year.

When asked if she feels like she deserves the award, DiChiro quickly answered "I do."

"I've worked hard, I love what I do and it's nice to be recognized for doing something," she said.

"I've tried to keep myself current after 28 years. I'm not stale, I'm not a dinosaur. I change with the times, change with the curriculum, change with things that have happened."

But one thing hasn't changed.

"I love working with the kids."

That love comes easy, since first graders are so enthusiastic and so easy to motivate, DiChiro said.

"They just love everything," she said. "They haven't changed much over the years. We've had to talk about bad things and tragedy this year, but they bounce back. Kids that age just bounce back."

The core of a first grade education is reading and writing. It's when their young minds are so easily influenced and shaped. But it's not just about teaching them how to read and getting them ready for higher grades and a lifetime of learning.

"I want them to love reading," she said. "The foundation I'm giving them in first grade is to make it interesting and motivating all the while I'm sneaking in the skills they need to learn. I just want them to like it as much as I do."

Principal Tonianne Napolitano said DiChiro is "an amazing teacher" who goes above and beyond the day-to-day job. Her door is always open, Napolitano said, and DiChrio understands that the job of constructing a strong educational foundation with her students doesn't stop when the last bell rings at the end of the school day.

"This is the grade where students emerge as readers," Napolitano said. "And Stephanie helps them not only emerge as readers, but as lovers of books and stories."

Tonianne got a phone call from the central office on Thursday letting her know that DiChiro would be getting the award. Lips sealed, Tonianne didn't tell anyone except DiChiro's husband, who invited family to come along for the presentation.

DiChiro's career has touched many lives, evidenced by a few former students coming by to watch her get the honor. 

Superintendent Judith Lundsten presented the award, which was "very sweet," Napolitano said, since Lundsten and DiChrio worked together when Lundsten was still teaching at Garden City School.

In 28 years, DiChiro said she's watched the profession change. Today, there's buzz about iPads. A few years ago, the trend was about teaching just phonics and site words. DiChiro has stayed abreast of all those changes, applying what works, fixing what doesn't.

But call DiChiro old school.

"I still like the feel of a book and I like kids to have a feel of a book in their hands, a pencil and piece of paper when they create and write," she said. "I understand there's a lot of technology out there to take advantage of, but I've always believed you need to have a balanced approach to reading and writing."

Though one recipe for success is simple.

"If you're excited, they're excited," she said.

Are you one of Stephanie's former students? Let us know in the comments!