STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island teacher has been named a winner of the 2022 New York State TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Educator Award.
Lisa Friscia, who works at PS 39 in South Beach, was named the Elementary School ESOL Teacher of the Year. She was nominated by former colleague Melanie Mirenberg.
Teachers of all grade levels can be nominated for an award if they motivate and encourage students, as well as engage them in productive and challenging learning — with awards in elementary, middle, high school, adult education and college level. Friscia was the elementary school winner.
“I was so thrilled — I couldn’t even believe it, that I got selected,” said the Eltingville resident. “I was so happy.”
Friscia has been a teacher for 14 years, teaching first and second grade in a Brooklyn elementary school. While she was teaching in Brooklyn during her first few years in the Department of Education (DOE), she was also earning her master’s degree in literacy.
“At the time, I had all English language learners in my first-grade classroom, so I became more interested in learning how to best support them in the classroom, so I decided to pursue an additional master’s degree in ESL [English as a Second Language],” she said.
She then went to work at PS 39, where she has served the last eight years as an ESL educator. Friscia explained that the South Beach elementary school is a diverse community and strives to serve as an “agent for change and a voice for those students in the community.”
Friscia teaches English to newcomers from multiple countries who attend the school. She works and supports classroom teachers to help students strengthen their English language knowledge, while also providing small group instruction to those ESL students.
“I love working with the students, and I enjoy celebrating the diversity at our school and embracing and highlighting students’ strengths and what they can bring to the table,” she said. “I enjoy the collaboration with families, as well.”
During the school year, Friscia explained that she and other teachers work on many cultural projects, and introduce diverse texts so that “students are able to see themselves in the story.” She said this helps students to have a voice and know they are seen.
And a goal this school year is to continue efforts to increase community engagement, especially parents and guardians of ESL students.
“We’re trying to get them involved and give them support for ways they can help their child at home,” said Friscia.
Mirenberg explained in her nomination that Friscia is an innovative and dynamic educator who “instills students with an appetite for joys of teaching and learning.” She added that Friscia always strives to maximize the education experience for all students and sets high standards.
An awards ceremony for recipients will be held at the Sonesta White Plains Downtown Hotel in White Plains, N.Y., on Nov. 5. Those unable to attend in-person are invited to a virtual reception on Nov. 3.
Friscia — who will be traveling with White Plains next month for the in-person ceremony — will be recognized and presented with an honorary certificate and a $300 award.
“This recognition by the state ... is certainly a well-deserved honor,” said Mirenberg. “I wish Lisa much luck and congratulations. I am certain she will continue her journey in education with dedication and passion, to make a difference every day for the students under her supervision. She will encourage them to ‘follow their dreams’ and meet with educational success.”
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