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What inspired you to teach 2nd Grade? How many years did you teach at RA?

It’s impossible to talk about RA without starting at its history. In 1974, my sister, later-to-become beloved teacher Faith Serapiglia, began driving the school van to bring children from neighboring towns to the school. Faith’s two daughters began Kindergarten in 1982 and 1983 respectively, and Faith began teaching Foundation (now known as Kindergarten).

I attended concerts, drama productions, and gymnastics shows my nieces performed in. I was a former public school teacher, having taught kindergarten, third, and fifth grade. After staying home with my three children for eight years, I began my career when the school was still called Landmark Academy in 1995.

 

I started as a 3s teacher, as well as the music teacher for 3s and 4s. When the school relocated to the Ridgefield campus, I moved from preschool to second grade, knowing it would be a great fit for me as I loved teaching the basic subjects of reading and writing. The children were such good readers! I also had a piano in my classroom and wrote original songs for the students to perform in their grade-level productions. I remained in second grade for the next eighteen years until my retirement in 2016. 

 

 

How has RA evolved since your time here?

I am so grateful that I was at RA long enough to see many changes. However, the basic principles of character building, community service, and academic excellence have remained the same; they have just expanded with new opportunities for expression. As the school building and grounds grew, so did each educator. I really appreciated all of the teacher training and development so that we were able to keep up with advancing technology. There are not many who can say they started with chalkboards and ended up with whiteboards and smart boards! 

Another big change over the years has been the addition of all of the specialized classrooms and teachers. What student doesn’t love going to a special class and interacting with another teacher?

What is a standout memory from your time at RA?

The saddest moments were the passing of my sister in May 2001 and the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Although both were devastating, the memory that stands out for me is how the entire community came together to support each other.  We were strong for each other and the children, and we moved forward together one step at a time.

My best memory was when my brother-in-law and I accepted my sister Faith Serapiglia’s RA Distinguished Service Award posthumously. It was an honor because I knew how deserving she was; Mrs. Serapiglia was respected by her parents and loved by the children. When my son Michael was in Faith’s Foundation class, he held her in the highest regard as his teacher.  

Which RA tradition do you consider most special?

RA’s Thanksgiving celebration has always been a favorite because my life’s motto is to be rich in gratitude. I’ve always been grateful to have lived a life of teaching. Back at the school's location on New Street, we held a huge Thanksgiving feast in the Great Hall. This feast tradition carried over to the Ridgefield campus but has since evolved into a gathering of gratitude, featuring a concert and celebration, followed by grandparents and special friends joining the children in their classrooms.

My other favorite tradition has been the singing of “Go Now In Peace”, which is always sung after the Thanksgiving concert and before heading off to the classrooms with families and friends. We also sing a round at Graduation as an expression of wishing the graduates peace in their new adventures. Since my retirement, I have been back for graduations or have watched/read the graduation speeches.

Additionally, the ringing of the RA bell has become a symbol of the beginning and end of one’s journey at RA. I especially loved taking photos of my new second graders ringing the bell for the first time and sending these photos to the parents for a keepsake.

What was your favorite spot on campus?

I have two favorite spots on campus. One is Faith’s bench engraved with her name and with a plaque comparing gratitude to the grown of a garden. The bench is located by the back exit and near what was designated as her garden, and her classroom window used to be above this space. During my time at RA, I would often take a few moments out of my busy week to sit there and think about her, about her love of children, and about why each of us was here at this wonderful school. And then I’d smile, take a deep breath, and go back to my students. 

My other favorite spot is walking out the front door of the Lower School to my car. This isn’t because I was anxious to be leaving. Quite the contrary, I’d leave school late, often when the sun was setting over the fields, lakes, and hills. Walking to my car, I’d stop and pause, looking at the bright orange sun lowering and I’d always get a sense of satisfaction that it had been a good day. I’d like to think that I accomplished something; that I made a difference in the lives of children.

On my last day, the year I retired, I walked out of the Lower School building and rang the bell. My sister, Faith Serapiglia, began the RA journey in 1982 and I closed it in 2016. I rang the bell, paused to watch the sunset, and felt at peace. 

 

Reflection:

I have a photo of my sister and me when we were 6 and 2 years old.  We were sitting back to back, like bookends.  I always thought of us that way, especially after teaching at RA with Faith.  She began in Foundation in 1983, and we taught together from 1985 until her passing in 2001. I resolved then at her passing that I would finish what she began and continue her love for RA until I retired in 2016.