Laura Longobardo, Teacher Education Scholarship Winner, Special Fall 2011, Part B Session
The University of Scranton, in partnership with Bisk Education, Inc., proudly recognizes Laura Longobardo – a teacher at Icahn Charter School in Bronx, New York – as winner of the Bisk Foundation Teacher Education Scholarship for the Special Fall 2011, Part B session. The scholarship supports the professional development of outstanding teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students.
Longobardo has been a teacher since 2005, when her dream of a career as an educator came true. For the past seven years she has worked at the Icahn Charter School in several capacities: Targeted Assistance Reading teacher, Lead Teacher for English Language Arts, Coordinator of the 100 Book Challenge, and most recently, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Early on, Longobardo understood the importance of supporting her students both within the classroom and beyond. She shares that “a large number of my students were dealt unfair cards… I quickly learned that our school fostered more than just an education, as many students considered it be much like a home and the teachers within to be their families. I quickly understood my responsibility, as my love for and dedication to each and every one of them developed.”
Longobardo worked tirelessly to target her students’ individual literacy needs, yet she knew they needed more. “I knew that I had to give more to those kids. I decided that the children should be given the opportunity to build background knowledge through authentic experiences such as those offered during extracurricular activities. So, I formulated a list of clubs that I could lead and presented them to my principal.”
As a result of Longobardo’s extracurricular initiative, students at her school soon had the opportunity to join a Girl Scout troop, participate in a dance program, and spread school spirit through a unique cheerleading squad that performed for academic successes such as honor society inductions and moving up ceremonies.
As a highly valued and respected member of her school community, Longobardo has consistently demonstrated success with her students, their families and her colleagues. Her principal, Daniel Garcia, says that Longobardo “is presently at a point in her career where her peers are willing to follow her because she has demonstrated that she is capable of delivering successful student outcomes with any group, she is a bank of knowledge on teaching strategies, and she is an exceptional communicator and motivator.”
Longobardo is known for her ability to plan creatively and effectively, solve problems, listen well, and embrace challenges as learning opportunities. She is a respected, excellent communicator who is always academically well prepared and full of passion for her students and subject matter. Longobardo’s colleagues praise her for her professionalism, leadership, commitment and work ethic.
Garcia adds, “Laura works and supports the intellectual and ethical well-being of our school community through her actions, passion and deeds.”
Together with The University of Scranton, Bisk Education is proud to salute Laura Longobardo – a true everyday hero who is making a difference through the gift of education!
