Mrs. LaScala has been serving the primary students at Saints Peter and Paul School since the 2005-2006 school year. Mrs. LaScala has had the opportunity to teach several years in each kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. This experience has provided her a unique perspective on primary education. She uses this perspective to collaborate with other teachers to enhance the primary school experience at Saints Peter and Paul School.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind...love your neighbor as yourself”
Mrs. LaScala works to build a community of learners where each child feels comfortable. She believes this is most often accomplished by building on the strengths of each student. Her teaching philosophy can be explained by sharing the following:
As a young child, Mrs. LaScala remembers helping her mother place groceries into the pantry. She remembers pointing out to her mother that there was a “t” on the box of tea bags. Her mother explained to her that “t” could be a letter and a word. Her mother took out a piece of paper and wrote “t” and then added “ea.” Mrs. LaScala remembers reading the word tea for her mother. Then her mother added “ch'' and Mrs. LaScala read “teach”, her mother then added “er” and Mrs. LaScala read “teacher.” Mrs. LaScala clearly remembers the excitement she felt as a young child when she made that connection, and she could read those words.
Mrs. LaScala believes when students are comfortable at school, they will point out their discoveries to their teachers. Each discovery can be a teachable moment and learning can be very exciting.