First-Year Teacher In Caldwells Tested By COVID-19, Wins Award – Caldwells, NJ Patch

CALDWELLS, NJ — The coronavirus pandemic has forced teachers to innovate and adapt in ways that they never planned when they took up education as a career. But a new elementary school teacher in the Caldwells is acing the test – and making a big difference in the lives of her students.

Recently, Emily Shapiro was selected as one of the winners of the Juicy Juice 100% Thankful Teacher Contest. She was selected for putting in an incredible year at Washington Elementary School in West Caldwell and adapting to a virtual classroom environment amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

The nationwide contest asked parents to recognize how their little ones’ teachers go above and beyond year after year. Shapiro was selected by a panel of judges as a first-place finalist from more than 1,000 entries.

Shapiro, the “embodiment of an inspiring leader,” was nominated by a local parent, who wrote:

“My son had Ms. Shapiro for kindergarten last year (her first year teaching). She comforted our kids during the transition to virtual as if they were her own. She not only excelled with required material, but topped it off with personal meetings, phone calls, a class newspaper, and a drive-by certificate ceremony. She only had an hour to grab materials from her classroom to assist our kids for the planned two weeks of closures. This first-year teacher tore down her entire bulletin board, her calendar, packed up her personal collection of books and split them up for our kids. She set up her bulletin board and calendar for our kids to see during morning meeting each day. She understood that they needed that structure and comfort even while at home. When they ran out of reading materials, she personally picked out books for them online and read with them. My son is still only five and reading on a second-grade level thanks to her. Ms. Shapiro deserves the world, as she has also been transferred to another elementary school in the district, and is taking it in stride, continuing to keep in touch with our children although they are not her students anymore. She understands that these kids need love and comfort during these trying times and she has excelled.”

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