Educator Award Winners

"Mrs. Lisa Friscia is currently working as a K-2 ENL teacher and Coordinator at Public School 39 in Staten Island, NY. Lisa has been teaching for 14 years. She began her educational journey by completing her undergraduate degree in Elementary School Education at Brooklyn College. Lisa majored in Elementary School Education and minored in Psychology. She then went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Literacy while teaching first and second grade culturally diverse students in Brooklyn at P.S.192. During this time, she wrote her thesis about Shared Reading strategies that can be used to support English Language Learners. While working on this thesis she began to take interest in working with multilingual students and supporting them as they acquire the English language. This then led to Lisa to continue her graduate school studies at Touro College where she graduated with a Master’s degree in TESOL. She then got hired as a K-2 ENL Teacher at PS 39. Mrs. Friscia is a passionate advocate for ELLs and works hard to help them achieve success in the classroom. Lisa is currently a NYS TESOL Advocacy Committee Member and a Mentor teacher for TESOL teaching candidates from Touro College. At her school, she provides PD for both teachers of ELLs and ELL families. According to her assistant principal, her willingness to grow professionally raises the bar for everyone at her school. Her future goal is to become an ELL coach and to be able to inspire other new teachers as they learn best practices for teaching ENL students. To conclude, Lisa is always eager to learn more and serve as an agent of change in her school community. She is a motivated and dedicated ENL Teacher who strives to have a positive impact on her school community."

"Ron Silva has been an ENL teacher at the Richard S. Sherman-Great Neck North Middle School(NM) in Great Neck, New York for the past sixteen years, after graduating with an MA in TESOL from Molloy College. Born in Peru, Mr. Silva is bilingual/bicultural and has been a positive role model for all the ELLs and the faculty at large since his appointment at NM. Silva is a soft spoken gentleman who exudes warmth in the most endearing way. In addition to teaching stand-alone ENL classes, Mr. Silva teaches collaboratively with ELA, Social Studies and Science teachers. Additionally, Mr. Silva has an affinity for technology and brings his expertise to his students and colleagues. He is known for the outstanding digital learning environment he creates. Ron is a member of NYS TESOL and participates in many webinars, always seeking to improve his pedagogy. "

"Kori Gordon is from Jamaica West Indies but now calls Jamaica, Queens her home. Having graduated from Hofstra with a major in Econ and a minor in Spanish, she decided to pursue teaching as a career after working on her college campus to help exchange students with conversational English. Her graduate pursuits saw her studying TESOL at Hunter College and graduating in May of 2021. Kori Gordon works at WATCH High School in East New York Brooklyn with at risk students. Each day Kori tells me stories of how she thrives to provide equity and access as best as she can for all students and in particular her Multilingual Learners (MLL). Kori Gordon has gone out of her way to get certified in college and career counseling in order to assist MLLs and their families with college planning etc - something she prides as one of her biggest accomplishments this year. When Kori Gordon is not in her High school classroom, she is often seeking opportunities to teach adult learners too. She has worked as an adult ESOL Instructor for a few organizations around the city as well."

"Clara Bauler's presence inspires others to kind and bring changes and innovation to the way we teach and interact with students. Ever gentle and kind, Clara has continually adapted to the changes in the profession and instilled her own fortitude, passions, and adaptability in her students. She is a resource to professionals surrounding her both through professional settings and through casual conversations. She will always listen, seeking to understand others. Among her most recent accomplishments, she and her team has been awarded a grant by Spencer Foundation. She spares no effort to promote equity oriented education and her students in anyway she can. From a public/media relations standpoint, Clara is a fantastic resource. She understands the value of sharing positive news while is fearless in speaking out against injustice. She's encouraged her class to engage socially and critically. She's always ready to help out whenever we present her with a project."

"Roshii Jolly is an exceptional educator that impacts her students' lives like no others. She is kind, articulate and always positive. Roshii Jolly sees every student in her class as a whole person and is able to see what each student brings to the community, She productively supports students and collaborates with her colleagues offering sound advice that will undoubtedly transform instruction and support. As a lifelong learner, she proactively seeks out opportunities to enhance her instructional skills. She takes the time out to build a sense of community in her learning environment. She is well loved and appreciated by students, families, and colleagues."

"Priscilla Zarate had been an educational leader for two decades. Her extensive knowledge of compliance and community engagement are outstanding. Not only is she a school district leader of ENL in the Port Washington school district, she is a trustee on the board for SUNY Suffolk County Community College. Ms. Zarate is currently, the president of NYSABE. She also sits on the board for LILTA. She is involved in several other leadership teams and organizations that support the achievement and well-being of all students, especially ELLs. Ms. Zarate has an extensive knowledge of curriculum and systems. She has worked diligently to increase academic and social emotional opportunities for her students, and students and their families throughout Long Island, and New York City. "