My name is Angela Gallicchio, and this is my fourth year being the 8th grade homeroom teacher and the 5th through 8th grade math teacher here at SMG.  I myself attended Goretti for K-8th grade and then worked at the Children’s Center before I started teaching here.  I attended Dominican University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  I am currently attending graduate school there as well.  I am mainly inspired by those around me and the interactions that I have with them.  If I see that the students are really excited about a topic that makes me enjoy teaching it even more.  I love to read and spend time with my husband, family, and friends.  I really enjoy reading thriller/detective novels by Linda Fairstein.  I also like to play badminton, listen to music, and watch any movie with John Travolta in it.

When it comes to my educational philosophy, I feel that a student’s interests should come into play as much as possible, the classroom should be mainly student centered, and many different approaches to the subject matter should be taken.  In the process of education teachers and the students each have their own roles.  Teachers are there to facilitate student learning and set them on a path that will lead them to knowledge and understanding about many things.  They are there to pass on information that is relevant to what is happening in the world and to the subject matter being taught.  Teachers should explain what needs to be done and why, should answer questions to the best of their ability, should help, should assist, should lead, should inform, should have an environment that is organized and workable in, and should be an example to the students.  Students should be responsible, should listen, pay attention, think about the material, participate in class activities and discussions, and do assignments related to it.  Teachers and students should learn from, teach, and help each other.

This being my fourth year here, I am looking forward to sharing in all of the graduation related events with another group of great students.  I am also looking forward to sharing in my students polar exploration activities for Catholic Schools’ Week.  Sugar cube igloos anyone?!