Univision & Papa John's Teacher of the Month~ "Una Maestra Especial” (A Special Teacher) Award
Yes... our very own Teacher of the Month ~ Mrs. Ricardo was selected by Univision & Papa John's for their "Una Maestra Especial” Award.
"The Award recognizes and acknowledges teachers who have exemplified exceptional qualities, and have had a distinctly positive impact on children’s lives. The award will consist of a certificate and a cash prize of $1,000." Pretty Cool ah!?
Yes, the TV cameras came to the classroom...
All About Me:
My name is Paula M. Ricardo. I was born in Newburgh, New York and moved to Miami when I was 7 years old. I attended Elementary, Middle School and High School in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I graduated from Barry University in 1991 with a Bachelor in Science and then completed my masters degree in Primary Education two years later. I live in Miramar with my wonderful and supportive husband and two amazing and rambunctious two and five year old boys. I have been teaching in Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 16 years. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to teach children from birth all the way through 8 years of age as well as preparing parents with parenting classes and ESOL classes. I am currently a second grade T.E.A.M. (Teaching Enrichment Activities to Minorities) teacher at Spanish Lake Elementary School.
For me, teaching is the most important career in the world!!!!
*****Univsion23 / Papa Johns ******
Teacher of the Month Nomination
Teacher of the Month Nomination
Mrs. Paula Ricardo is being nominated for the Teacher of the Month because of her inspiring personal commitment to education, through personal sacrifice, and her continuous involvement in training other staff as well as teaching students and parents alike to strive for excellence. Like she puts it, “readers are leaders”.
Mrs. Ricardo’s resourcefulness and creative use of materials know no end. For instance, she keeps a personal Blog online~ to communicate with parents and students. She encourages creativity by displaying their art, spurring on excellence by posting a winner of “Student of the Month” ~ commenting on all the great things that child has accomplished including character traits and her vision for him or her. She is always eager to meet with parents, and she is constantly giving input and finding resources for parents to help their child be successful.
In terms of her teaching innovations – originality, all I can say is that when my son was transferred to her class two months after school had started, he came home saying “Fun! She is fun mommy. She made us do pretty cool stuff". He has not been so inspired to learn since kindergarten. Among all the mandates from district & state, she strives daily to not forget what is really important and so she remains grounded and keeps learning fun! She is currently finding ways to help the school afford having a butterfly garden for the children to enjoy.
She was nominated for this school year for the Teacher of the Year Award because of the positive role model that she is. She strives to stop the epidemic of underachievers that our schools and communities face today~ helping students, as well as parents; see that struggle is not an enemy but an opportunity. Therefore, she is not afraid of talking to a parent in her advanced 2nd grade class to teach their child responsibility in order to have them mature and grow in discipline, starting with the basic chores at home. She is compassionate and inspiring… Can we clone her is my question?
Mrs. Ricardo’s resourcefulness and creative use of materials know no end. For instance, she keeps a personal Blog online~ to communicate with parents and students. She encourages creativity by displaying their art, spurring on excellence by posting a winner of “Student of the Month” ~ commenting on all the great things that child has accomplished including character traits and her vision for him or her. She is always eager to meet with parents, and she is constantly giving input and finding resources for parents to help their child be successful.
In terms of her teaching innovations – originality, all I can say is that when my son was transferred to her class two months after school had started, he came home saying “Fun! She is fun mommy. She made us do pretty cool stuff". He has not been so inspired to learn since kindergarten. Among all the mandates from district & state, she strives daily to not forget what is really important and so she remains grounded and keeps learning fun! She is currently finding ways to help the school afford having a butterfly garden for the children to enjoy.
She was nominated for this school year for the Teacher of the Year Award because of the positive role model that she is. She strives to stop the epidemic of underachievers that our schools and communities face today~ helping students, as well as parents; see that struggle is not an enemy but an opportunity. Therefore, she is not afraid of talking to a parent in her advanced 2nd grade class to teach their child responsibility in order to have them mature and grow in discipline, starting with the basic chores at home. She is compassionate and inspiring… Can we clone her is my question?
We need more teachers like her that put their whole heart behind inspiring our next generation! These are the true heroes! Thanks for rewarding them!
Like Mrs. Ricardo said about just selecting Romina as her student of the month, I can also say that I am very proud and grateful for having Mrs. Ricardo as my son's teacher and nominating her as teacher of the month 'was the easiest decision I have made all year! '
Congratulations Mrs. Paula Blanco-Ricardo!!
Love, Zenaida
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