This National Teacher Appreciation Day and National Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of our Nation’s educators in schools from coast to coast, especially the teachers we are proud to call our own at Tilton School! Our school is divided into two programs: Tilton East serves students in grades K-8, and Tilton West serves students in grades 9-12. Today, we celebrate Tilton West!

Teachers play so many different roles. They are mentors who guide with creativity and care; advocates who fight for students’ needs; role models who help students dream and dare more boldly; and leaders who tirelessly support the families and communities that depend on them. Every day, with every student they reach, educators build the future of our country, and we are grateful for their commitment to our shared future.

This year calls for a much greater celebration due to our country facing a cascade of crises in 2020. Despite all trials and tribulations, educators have risen to the challenge with care and creativity, overcoming disruptions in their own lives while offering unwavering support for their students’ wellbeing and academic progress.

THANK YOU TO OUR TILTON SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR ALL YOU DO!

We asked them a few questions.

Why did you want to become a teacher?

What is the best thing about working at Tilton School?

Meg Abbott

I remember playing school with my younger brother when I was five and giving him stickers as grades for his drawings. School was always my safe place throughout my chaotic childhood, and my teachers were always my heroes. I wanted to become a teacher because I love learning and wanted to provide a safe environment for young people to develop their love for learning. 

The best thing about working at Tilton School is how the staff in our school work together. I have worked in several schools during my career, and I can confidently say that the people in this building have created a collaborative community. I really love working with everyone on Tilton West, especially, and I admire everyone on Tilton East!

Anna Anggaputra

I did an internship at a private school in Hoboken, New Jersey, after graduating from college, and the teachers there were among the most remarkable adults I'd ever met. I realized I would genuinely enjoy working with such intelligent, interesting people. There was also a moment when I was asked to read out loud to a class of 4th graders while they drew the scenes they were hearing. There was a sort of palpable energy in the room while I read and the students worked, and I felt so wholly invested in the moment. That was when I began to consider a career in teaching. 

I love the people! The students are so interesting, complex, and resilient. It's a fun challenge to understand their behaviors and perspectives and create a curriculum that will engage them. The school staff (teachers, teaching assistants, support staff, and administration) are among my favorite people on earth. They genuinely care about the students and are so creative in coming up with new ideas and solutions. It's a joy to be a part of this team. 

John Giordano

I wanted to become a teacher to make a positive impact in a young person's life. There is nothing more rewarding than helping students realize what they are capable of and using that positive energy to motivate them to achieve their goals. 

We have a team of amazing teachers, administrators, and support staff that are invested in teaching. We have the opportunity to work with small groups of students, which allows us to invest time into everyone that enters our classroom to learn what motivates them and how we can assist them in being successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Additionally, the members of Tilton School truly epitomize the meaning of team. Every member supports the other and works for the common goal of success for our students.  

Joshua Perez

I have wanted to teach for as long as I can remember; although, I haven't always known what capacity. My decision to teach at the high school level came when I recognized that I had independent passions for teaching, scientific inquiry, and the younger generations. Teaching high school sciences has provided the opportunity to marry those passions in a way that allows me to explore the natural world, teach about its beauty and value, and do so while pouring into the next generation of learners.

My favorite part about teaching at Tilton is the unique opportunity to know my students on a personal, vulnerable level that surpasses the value of mere academics. The teachers at Tilton understand that academics are important, but only to the extent that they supplement a young person's overall life. We value each child's story, struggle, and unique impact ability and understand that these things cross-cut academics.

Heather Boucher-Zieno

I decided to become a teacher because I want to make a difference in someone's life. Also, I understand the value and importance of quality education for all regardless of anyones' abilities or any other limiting conditions. 

I think that the best thing about working here at Tilton is TEAMWORK!!!