In the bright, colorful building, filled with laughter from children, a new face filled an empty room. Mrs. Susan DiResta’s cheery, uplifting spirit seems to bring joy to the 6th graders surrounding her.
“I really love creating relationships with them and getting to know them,” DiResta said. “I try to joke around with my class as much as possible in terms of making sure that I have that trusting relationship with them.”
The new 6th grade teacher has several different ways of going about her teaching approach, many of which have been found to create a safe space for the students. Although the education of the students typically is the main focus of Mrs. DiResta’s new teaching job, it isn’t her only priority.
While she has only been teaching at SES for a short period of time, she’s already making a positive impact with her teaching approach. Throughout her days of being in school, she didn’t have the best of experiences. She uses these past experiences to re-enforce her main priority: making her students feel good in school and enjoy going.
Thus far, DiResta has many positive things to say about the environment in which she is now a part, including that all her fellow teachers are very cohesive and work well as a team. All around it’s a “good vibe.”
Within her class, she really tries to joke around with her students as often as possible in order to develop a strong, trusting relationship. With a daughter around the same age as her students, she believes that this helps her understand her students on a deeper level and connect with them better.
New principal of Salisbury Elementary, Michael Astuccio, has some positive comments about Diresta’s employment.
“Mrs. DiResta started the year with some team building challenges that the students enjoyed,” Astuccio said. “During each of my visits since, it is clear the students are enjoying the comfortable class environment she has set up.”
The classroom is filled with bright colors that bring cheer to the students and comfy, cozy lighting.
It’s evident that DiResta is truly passionate about creating a homey feeling in her class. Astuccio also mentioned how she is incredibly thoughtful and makes sure her communication within the building is strong.
Meanwhile, Mr. Drew Castantini, DiResta’s mentor, also has some great things to say about this new addition.
“She has great energy and is making a positive impact on our 6th-grade students each day,” Castantini said. “It has been great working with her so far.”
He also mentioned how she really took her time to consider and learn about how the community works and how committed she is to helping each individual student be successful and reach their goals. So, not only do her students love her, but her colleagues also really seem to take a liking to her and her high spirits.
Mrs. DiResta seemingly has made a positive impact on her students and the SES community as a whole in just the few short weeks she has been there.
“…we are thrilled to have her aboard,” Astuccio sad.
