By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
MANSFIELD — Joshua Moore, 7, successfully nominated his second-grade John Hydock Elementary School teacher to be chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies as a 2012 Delaware Valley Teacher All-Star.
The Phillies tapped Kristina Papero, of Chesterfield, late last week as one of 10 winning teachers throughout the region out of more than 1,500 entries.
"It was a surprise,” said Joshua’s father, Mic Moore, of Mansfield.
He spoke to the Register-News of the win April 20.
"She didn’t know that Joshua had entered her,” he said.
Of Ms. Papero, Mr. Moore said, “She’s a great teacher. She’s passionate, and she cares about what she’s doing.”
Mr. Moore added, “She’s been great for him.”
He said Ms. Papero has worked with Joshua to improve his literacy and reading, including helping him find a strong tutor within the school.
Ms. Papero and Joshua are set to attend a Phillies game against the San Diego Padres, along with their guests, during the 12th annual Teacher Appreciation Night at Citizens Bank Park on May 11.
”I can’t wait,” Ms. Papero said Monday. “Every teacher hopes and dreams of having such an impact on one of his or her students. It is amazing, and I am truly honored.”
The Phillies asked regional students to nominate teachers who:
* Allow every child to feel safe and loved.
* Are a mentor, a role model, a hero.
* Are more entertaining than watching TV.
* Believe there is no such thing as “I can’t.”
* Go beyond the set curriculum.
”I teach because I want to make a difference,” said Ms. Papero. “I enjoy encouraging the academic achievement of my students in an engaging, joyful school environment. I want to be the teacher that my students will remember 50 years from now. My students keep me going.”
She added, “After learning what the essay contest was all about, I was truly honored to know that I’ve had such an effect on Josh and that he considers me to be an ‘All-Star Teacher.’ I hope that I’ve reached all of my students in the way that he has been. This honor has reaffirmed the fact that I am making a difference.”
”All of the teachers here at JHES do an excellent job,” said Principal Joseph Mersinger on April 23. “I was very pleased to hear that Kristina Papero was nominated as a Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Teacher, and I’m equally pleased that Joshua Moore’s essay was selected as one of the 10 winners. This is an honor for Josh, for (Ms.) Papero, for our school and for the Mansfield Township School District.”
He said her “strengths lie in her enthusiasm for learning, which she exemplifies for the students, as well as her focus on literacy, particularly in the area of writing. Her students always produce fantastic work.”
Principal Joseph Mersinger noted Ms. Papero is also a gifted writer.
Joshua’s essay
In his own words, Joshua wrote to the Phillies, “My teacher, Mrs. Papero, is a amazing teacher . . . When she takes the class outside, we have a blast.”
He noted a “fantastic” SHARK binder program she created in which a binder is used to hold homework and important papers and list assignments. He told the Phillies when the class is good for 10 days, they are awarded a prize.
”We have all sorts of prizes. My favorites are class lunch with the teacher, movie with popcorn and movie with pajamas,” Joshua wrote.
He also credited her for assigning fun homework and, noteworthy, including a student in the classroom via SKYPE who was absent for three months “so his kidney would get better.”
He wrote, “When we went to morning meeting, (Ms.) Papero’s computer was sitting on her desk,” Joshua wrote. “She would call (him) on the computer, and then he would pop up on the screen. We would Skype with him during morning meeting and some subjects. It was great because (he was able) to learn, and we (got) to see him.”
Of Joshua’s writing, Ms. Papero said, “Josh has worked really hard on his writing this year, both at school and at home with his parents. I am so proud of him for this accomplishment, and he is proof that hard work really does pay off.”
She added, “I had tears in my eyes the first time I read his essay. I love the specific examples that he used in his writing while recapping some of the most memorable moments of our school year. I thought it was so cute when he said that he likes it when I ‘let our class have math each day.’”
In 2009, Ms. Papero joined the Mansfield Township School District teaching staff.
As an undergraduate, she attended Rider University with a major in elementary education and psychology and a minor in special education. After three and a half years, she graduated with the Award for Excellence in Special Education.
Ms. Papero said, “Every teacher makes a difference. I believe that it is up to each individual educator to decide whether his or her impact will be good, bad or indifferent. I am proud to be a part of a school district that has so many exceptional teachers who care about their students so much. It is reassuring to know that the lessons we teach are held in the hearts and minds of our students.”
Joshua told the Phillies, “One day, I asked Mrs. Papero if she liked the Phillies, and she said ‘yes!’ Mrs. Papero is a fantastic teacher, and she deserves to be a Phillies Teacher All-Star!”
