45°
Amy Francoletti tried to live the commuter lifestyle, she really did. For four years, she headed into New York to work in life insurance. But she decided she wasnt happy. Instead, Amy found her true calling by going back to school and staying there.
Now a kindergarten teacher at Fairfields Stratfield Elementary, shes found a job she loves though not necessarily an easier one. Its tougher than commuting back and forth to New York every day, Amy says. Theres not enough hours in the day to get everything done, and if you dont like it, youre going to be miserable. But Im happy every day I can come in here and work with these guys.
When asked what she likes about her current job, Amy doesnt hesitate. The kids, she says. For 12 years, shes been teaching Stratfields youngest charges, after two years in second grade. What she loves the most is seeing them grow in the year they spend together.
They come in not even knowing their letters, and they leave kindergarten reading, Amy says. That change, she says, has become more pronounced over her career. Though kindergarten is still about kids social development, Amy says the educational aspect is more advanced now. For example, the kids work on reading and writing stories. By the end of the year, she hopes theyll be able to create tales that have a clear beginning, middle and end, while being able to read those stories and relate them to others.
But it's still kindergarten, and Amy focuses on tying subjects together to make them more fun and easier to learn. For instance, her class just read a book on dinosaurs, which has rippled throughout the rest of her lessons. She also had her kids writing their own dinosaur stories, and math lessons of counting and adding Tyrannosaurus teeth.
But even beyond the lesson plan, Amy says she loves just making connections with the kids every day. You do it for the smiles and the hugs, she says. Because they get it. Theyre so happy to be here.
Who do you think should be Fairfields Star Teacher? Nominate your choice at the contest page, and send suggestions for profiles to gcanuel@mainstreetconnect.us.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
