Meet the Teacher

Mrs. Susan LaFaso

 

If we haven't already met, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. Hope I get to know you too.

 

September will begin my 27th year teaching in Waretown. Time has gone by so fast. It's fun when a child says to me, you used to be my Mom's or Dad's teacher.  

 

I began working as a substitute when my daughter Rebecca started Kindergarten. I was also President of the Ocean Township PTA at that time. When she was in 4th grade I decided I was ready to become a full time teacher. I began in Kindergarten when we were only half day.The other Kindergarten teacher was Miss Fawcett, and she taught me so much.

I enjoyed teaching the young children, but I decided I wanted to teacher older students, so when a 5th grade position opened I made the big jump. Thanks to my years of being a substitute, I wasn't totally overwhelmed by the big leap. In fact, I loved teaching the older children and it was so much fun to have former Kindergarten students for a second time. After a few years, I became an "inclusion" teacher and Mrs. Lewis and I worked together with a very mixed group of kids. Working with a partner was super!

It was at this time that I discovered computers! One September I walked in to get ready for the new year and there were 2 brand new computers sitting in my classroom.  I did not have a computer at home, but I did have a WebTv and had actually learned to make webpages using that. So I immediately went to the computer lab and asked Mrs. Marcus to teach me everything. On the first day of school, the kids and I made a video about the things they did and the teachers they had in 5th grade. We turned it into a slide show for Back to School Night.

 

I think it was my second year in 5th grade that Mrs. Schwing took over the Computer Lab. Everytime we had a free period at the same time we were planning special projects for my students. She taught me so much and gave me the confidence to ask for the position of computer teacher in the brand new lab in the WES school. I went immediately to Mr. Bochicchio and asked if he would consider allowing me to become the new computer teacher. He instantly told me the job was mine. 

 

Ok, I will just say... the rest is history!  I apologize for being so wordy. I meant to make this brief.

 

Oh, one more thing. My daughter has given me 2 beautiful grandchildren. They are so special to me. But I will stop now because if I start telling you about them I will never stop.

 

So you know a lot about who I am, and I am looking forward to meeting you and your children if I haven't already done so.

 

 Now this time, its final...hope to see you all soon.