Teacher Feature

By: Brianna Cedillo

For 62 years, John Curtis Christian School has had an amazing staff of teachers. These teachers have helped mold students into good people over the years. these teachers help their students to be motivated, to want to be better, and to learn everything they need to know before entering the world on their own. The teachers featured in this edition are teachers that have impacted hundreds of students in many ways.

Mrs. Perniciaro

What is your favorite part about teaching?

I really love building relationships with my students. I love being a part of the things in their lives that are important to them. That is why I do my best to attend all of the 7th-8th grade games, band concerts, meets, etc.

What is your reason for teaching?

My reason for teaching is to pour into the lives of our next generation of students not only academically but also spiritually. I am so thankful to be a part of a school that allows teachers to pray with students, read devotionals, and encourage them to draw closer to God.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Cornbread dressing and pecan pie.

Do you have a Thanksgiving family tradition? If so, what is it?

My husband's family always had their special family lasagna along with traditional Thanksgiving food. So now I do the same with our family. (Instead of meat sauce they use mini-meatballs in their lasagna. That's what I get for marrying an Italian lol!)

What is your favorite fall sport?

My favorite fall sport is Cross Country. My son ran cross country for Coach Preston while he was in high school and it taught him the discipline he needed to help him throughout high school, college, and law school.

Coach Jeff

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Watching the students do something or figure out something that satisfies, pleases, or surprises them. Watching them do something that they once could not do.

What is your reason for teaching?

To play a small part in helping Build a Champion for Life. My goal is to make a small difference in someone’s life and try to be a consistent figure to them to show them that success comes in many different forms, but there is never a shortcut to it. Showing up every day and giving good effort develops consistency and dependability, which leads to success in their lives.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Mrs. Debbie Eutsler’s Sweet Potato Casserole or my wife’s (Mrs. Toni) Green Bean Casserole!

Do you have a Thanksgiving family tradition? If so, what is it?

The biggest tradition is just being around family. Whether it’s the Curtis family or my wife’s family, just being around family helps us to reflect on giving thanks for those blessings we sometimes take for granted. Also, hopefully, playing in a playoff football game!