Briarcliff Names Its Teacher Of The Year

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

by Maytal Wichman

“When a student feels cared for and comfortable in the classroom, that is when the sky is the limit for learning and for collaborating,” said Briarcliff Middle School science teacher, Jessica Loprieno, who was recently named Briarcliff Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Loprieno, who is starting her 18th year in the district, talked with us about what qualities she thinks make a good teacher, why she particularly likes working with seventh graders and what she hopes her students will take with them at the end of the year.

When she first began working in the district, Ms. Loprieno was fresh out of college and taught both seventh graders as well as ninth graders.

“After the first year, my administrators asked me to choose only one grade, and it’s funny, because I always thought I was going to be a high school teacher,” she said. “But I realized that seventh graders were ‘my people.’ Seventh grade is a special time because they have one foot in childhood and the other in young adulthood. The time between September and June of that year is where a tremendous amount of growth takes place, and it is rewarding to be a part of that.”

To help foster that growth requires a certain skillset.

“Adaptability is an important quality for teachers to have,” she said. “Things can shift very quickly in a classroom, so it is essential to be flexible and ready to adjust the lesson on the spot. Patience and understanding are also important; students need to see that we are people too, and that we are flexible and approachable. When a student feels cared for and comfortable in the classroom, that is when the sky is the limit for learning and for collaborating.”

As advisor of the Nature Club at the school, Ms. Loprieno is a big proponent of slowing down and spending time in nature in order to marvel at it and thus promote wellness.

“I hope that by the end of the year, students continue to be curious and observant about the world around them and have a desire to slow down and think about what they see, especially in nature, and to take time to find out more about why something is the way it is,” she said. “There is a lot of wellness that comes from slowing down, being present, being in nature and simply observing and marveling at the wonders of nature.”

Ms. Loprieno has advice for new teachers.

“The little moments in your day often turn out to be the big ones: greeting students at the door, asking about a soccer game or a family trip or taking a few minutes for a quick team-building activity – these things show students that you see them as individuals, not just learners,” she said. “Over time, those moments become the foundation for stronger relationships, greater engagement and a more positive learning environment.”

Ms. Loprieno said that visits from former students are one of her highlights.

“I spoke with a student last year whose older sister was my student years ago,” she said. “She did her senior internship with me, and I just found out that she was pursuing a career related to science, so it was rewarding to hear that.”

Another rewarding thing about being a teacher is watching students enjoy science.

“Sometimes you can tell right away that a student gravitates toward the field, but sometimes they come to my class thinking they don’t like biology, and as the year goes by, they will tell me that they like my class more than they thought they would. This is very rewarding,” she said.

Being named Briarcliff Teacher of the Year came as a surprise for Ms. Loprieno.

“I was surprised and incredibly honored,” she said. “Especially since I work alongside such outstanding educators every day. My colleagues constantly inspire me to refine my practice and expand the tools that I bring to the classroom, so it really is a big honor.”

The award was announced during Superintendent Conference Day, when Ms. Loprieno gave a speech.

“I was a little nervous, but I had a lot of time to prepare and that helped me reflect and think about what I want my message to be,” she said. “My message was that the most rewarding thing about being a teacher is fostering the growth of our students and that we, as teachers, continue to grow every day as well. Even though I am starting my 18th year, I am constantly refining my lesson plans and trying to embed new strategies that I learn in professional development. There are always changes, so the greatest thing about this profession is that we, alongside our students, are always growing and learning, too.”

“Ms. Loprieno exemplifies the passion, creativity and dedication that define exceptional teaching,” said Briarcliff Middle School Principal Amy Gladstone. “She is a model educator – one who inspires her students, uplifts her colleagues and exemplifies the best of Briarcliff. We are incredibly fortunate to have her at the school, and it is with great joy that we honor her with this well-deserved recognition as Teacher of the Year.”

“Ms. Loprieno is an inspiring educator and a joyful role model – exactly the kind of teacher we hope every student encounters and every colleague values,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Kaishian. “Her work goes far beyond outstanding instruction; she brings energy, creativity, and care to everything she does. We are proud to recognize her with this well-earned honor.”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.