Smithfield Nominates Johnston Resident For Teacher Of The Year

By Smithfield School Department

SMITHFIELD, RI—At its meeting Tuesday night, the Smithfield School Committee announced the 2018 Smithfield Teacher of the Year. Elizabeth Russillo, a resident of Johnston, has been serving as a high school science teacher at Smithfield High School for the past 16 years. In addition to facilitating engaging science lessons, Mrs. Russillo contributes to the positive school culture at SHS by serving as the Freshmen Mentoring Advisor and Student Council Coordinator.

She also positively affects the teaching practices of her colleagues through her work as the
Science Department Chairperson and as a Highlander Fuse Fellow. Working with the Highlander Institute, Mrs. Russillo serves as a blended and personalized learning coach for educators throughout Rhode Island. At SHS she has organized and facilitated over 10 hours of after school professional development and has created a website with resources for blended and personalized learning. Over the past couple of years she also has been working with the Rhode Island Department of Education, first as a Rhode Island Learning Champion, helping to revise the state’s graduation proficiency standards and rubrics, then as an EdPrep fellow, improving the path for aspiring teachers.

Several Smithfield educators were nominated for this year’s Teacher of the Year by colleagues
and parents after a call for nominations was made in late March. Selection criteria included
effective instructional practices, contributions to a positive school climate, and contributions to
the profession.

Judy Paolucci, Superintendent of Schools, comments, “Liz Russillo displays all the qualities of great teachers we value here in Smithfield. As our 2018 Teacher of the Year, she will represent the many excellent educators in our schools. Her infectious enthusiasm, dedication, and skills make her a perfect choice for this honor.”

Jeff Larrow, of Horace Mann, presented Mrs. Russillo with a Crystal Owl in honor of her designation as Smithfield’s Teacher of the Year. Horace Mann recognizes educators for the outstanding work they do or a significant achievement in teaching.

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