#Between2BlueDevils

This week I sit down with two sisters who LOVE Tallmadge and LOVE teaching. As you listen to Ms. Nina DiFalco and Ms. JoAnna DiFalco you will quickly pick up on their passion for teaching, their passion for their coaching, and especially their passion for their family. Trust me when I tell you that you will laugh a lot as you listen to these two feed off of each other. You will also feel yourself moved to tears as they share their love of life and teaching with the listener. I wish I could have been a student in both of their classes!

Follow these two amazing educators on Twitter: @miss_difalco and @Lenkey_DiFalco

Be sure to subscribe and share!

This episode I sit down with two leaders of the THS senior class. Ana Crangle and Ashton Bell both have amazing stories to tell. As you listen you will be moved by the wisdom that these young women drop. 

After listening to this interview be sure to follow our school newspaper, The Devils Tale, on Twitter: The Devils Tale

And be sure to subscribe to their podcast where they feature the stories of other THS students-The Devils' Tale.

Enjoy this special episode of Between2BlueDevils!

There is nothing better in the life of a teacher than when a former student reaches out to share their life with you. Grant did just that not long ago and then he agreed to hop on the podcast and share with the listeners what he is doing. What a great interview hearing all about what Grant is passionate about...technology, Camp Fitch, hockey, and so much more. Grant is a 2009 graduate of Tallmadge High School and a 2013 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

One glance on his social media sites or his personal blog and you will see that his intro line is 100% spot on. Grant is a...

"Cloud plumber, bit wrangler, solution engineer, hockey nut."

Throw in "passionate counselor and supporter of Camp Fitch" and you have a great picture of who this amazing young man is.

Want to learn more about Grant? Check out his contact info below:

Grant's Blog: https://legacy-blog.grantcohoe.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantCohoe

Rochester Institute of Technology

Camp Fitch

The first episode of Season 3 features one of my most favorite people in Tallmadge, Mrs. Arene Staszak. Mrs. Staszak is a wife, mother, math teacher, coach, and musician. If she isn't in the classroom, then she is most likely in the hallway planning another event for our students. If she isn't in the hallway she is most likely on a softball field somewhere. And if you cannot find her on a field then she is probably on the stage singing with her band...The Buck Naked Band. How she finds time for all that she does is a true mystery.

Here is what I know about Mrs. Staszak, and her crew consisting of Mrs. Headrick, Mrs. Giles, and Mrs. Blasko. They care about our kids and they want to provide as many opportunities for memories to be created as possible for them. She is truly amazing. On a side note she ranks as one of my daughters all time favorite teachers. 

You can follow Mrs. Staszak on Twitter at: @THS_Staszak

You can also follow her band, the Buck Naked Band, at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bucknakedband/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bucknakedband/

Be sure to forward this episode to a friend. Also, be sure to rate the podcast and help us get the message out. 

Thanks for your support and enjoy Season 3.

They came rushing into class one morning and hijacked the podcast. I, your host, was forcibly sat down to be interviewed, and it turned out to be a blast! Okay, I wasn't forced, but I turned over the reins to two amazing students, Esther and Chandni, and answered all of their questions. I enjoyed sharing bits and pieces of my story with these two, and as an extension, with you. My story has some interesting twists and turns and how I ended up in the classroom is honestly a miracle. But I am so happy that it is where I landed, and I am so honored to call teaching my profession. As many of you know I consider it a calling. I am thankful I have been called.

Your two hosts are two of my ALL TIME FAVORITES. Here is what you need to know about Esther and Chandni...they will outwork anyone. I had the honor of having them in my APUSH (Advanced Placement United States History) class. It was in this very rigorous environment where I got to witness first hand their commitment to excellence. They worked diligently day in and day out seeking to become the best historians they could. While attacking their academics they also participated in every leadership opportunity they could. They are leaders. They are beacons of light in our building, and they are resilient. Not only did they work hard and lead as sophomores, but they did so during one of the most traumatic times in our history. The shutdown...the quarantine.

Having to take APUSH is hard enough, but then having your school year take the turn that it did on March 13th, 2020 makes it near impossible to succeed in. But these two extraordinary women did not let this hurdle stop them from not only excelling in class (no matter what it looked like) but also leading in our community. They did everything they could to help classmates succeed by hosting online reviews, text reviews, and zoom reviews with their APUSH family. They also did everything they could to help classmates outside of APUSH deal with the uncertainties of COVID.

As you can tell I have nothing but mad respect for these two. They are two very influential women. As they entered into this past year as juniors they continued their role as leaders within the school. Now, they are seniors. Now things seem a little more normal as we get closer to the new year starting. And now I sit with excitement awaiting to see all the great things these two will do in their final year at THS.

I hope you enjoy their interview and I hope you enjoy a bit about my story.

I am truly blessed.

You can follow me on all social media platforms:

Instagram: @mrhornertheteacher

Twitter: @THSMr_Horner

Facebook: Mark Horner

Email: [email protected]

This week I sit down with the one and only Maximus, AKA Mr. Mark Verrona. Mr. Verrona has been a teacher for 22 years...19 of which have been here in Tallmadge City Schools. He is one PROUD DAD!! He has 3 kids: Megan who is 12, Benjamin who is 10, and Violet who is 9. When not busy with the joys of fatherhood he likes to go for a run, catch a movie (click to see what his favorite movie is), or play some cards...and then pound some Gionino's pizza, his favorite food.

When he was in high school he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do in the “real world.” After high school he decided to volunteer at Kent Roosevelt (his alma mater) and work with the track team. Within that environment he learned the value of hard work and relationships. This inspired him to become a teacher.

Mr. Verrona’s classroom is a place of joy, where kids are encouraged to be themselves. His best piece of advice for everyone of his students is to “be themselves.” His desire is to create an environment where students feel loved and appreciated. And he does this well.

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” 

Steve Prefontaine

This is Mr. Verrona’s life quote. This is the standard by which he lives his life, and by which he approaches his calling in education. He gives his best each and every day. He is another example of the amazing people that work here in Tallmadge City Schools.

To see all that Mr. Verrona does in the classroom and the many creative activities he involves his students in follow him on Twitter: @VerronaMark

This week I sit down with Mrs. Stephanie Caicco.  Our conversation was so good. Yeah, this is a long one but it is full of value and passion. Mrs. Caicco has not taken the traditional route to the classroom. It has been a journey for sure:

“This is my 3rd career.  When the housing market took a dive I needed a new career and I was still coaching (cheer and volleyball) and thought that teaching would be really fun.  As a kid my best friend and I would play school - I was always the social studies teacher - lol.  (I love history).”

Wait until you hear more about her childhood dream of being a teacher. She took her play time as a teacher seriously.

Mrs. Caicco is a proud wife, mother, and new grandmother. You will hear her pride in her voice as she shares about her family and their many accomplishments, hobbies, and adventures.

Life quote/mantra:

“There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can’t.  What you’ve got to do is turn around and say ‘watch me.”

-Unknown

Mrs. Caicco’s life typifies this quote. She has spent much of her life proving the doubters wrong. This is one of two messages that will resonate with you after listening to this episode. Prove them wrong!

The second message is to love people. Mrs. Caicco loves her students. She values establishing a culture and environment where her students feel safe. Her classroom, of which she describes it as “organized chaos,” is a judgment free place. Kids can be themselves, express themselves, and she doesn’t care. All she wants to do is love them.

This is one of the many reasons why Mrs. Caicco is one of our most beloved teachers. Enjoy this interview and prepare to really want your kids to have her in class!

So often I look outside the classroom to chat with movers and shakers in Tallmadge. This week I tapped into the wisdom and voice of 5 amazing students, 2 of which are seniors. This year has been a strange one. Here in Tallmadge we have spent time remote, but the majority of the year we have been on a hybrid schedule. The goal was to have our students in front of a teacher 5 out of 10 days. We divided them up by alphabet and they were put into Gold and Blue teams. This interview was with my Blue students. Funny how a hybrid schedule breaks up the classroom and then each day and block takes on their very own personality. These students are my "philosophers." They took a deep dive into serious topics, on a bi-daily basis.

If you were sitting at the socially distanced table with us the students would be sitting in this order, moving from my left:

Josh: Junior: passionate golfer and a young man of character. His desire is to honor the legacy of his grandfather by becoming the best person he can possibly be.

Lexi: Junior: passionate softball player and barista at Dunkin Donuts! This young lady loves being on the field with her teammates. Having to overcome the loss of a season due to COVID she is making the most of this season.

Kai: Sophomore: this young lady is the only sophomore in any of my psychology classes. She is a young woman of conviction and bravery. Having overcome many obstacles in her life she uses her experiences to help others. Recently she shared boldly with the class her struggles with anxiety and depression opening the door to a long discussion with other students dealing with the same thing. It was an amazing hour of heartfelt discussion.

Shannon: Senior: this class leader is passionate about traveling and diversity. She can't wait to get out there and experience all the world has to offer. Her desire is to learn from everyone. I have had her twice as a student, and she has had an everlasting impact on me.

Jacob: Senior: this kid will WOW you with his ability to recall information learned about everything! Not a class would go by where the student would teach the teacher. He is passionate about the outdoors and looks to be a Park Ranger someday. 

I hope you enjoy this episode. These young people are amazing. They each have a story and they are stories worth sharing. 

Enjoy!

Episode 29 features Tallmadge alumnus and current Tallmadge High School Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology teacher, Mrs. Laura Benedict. What a fun interview to sit in on and hear this scientist drop some wisdom, most especially her admonition to "trust science." Mrs. Benedict can chat for hours about boring statistical studies and make them sound amazing and mind boggling. In the midst of our many conversations she has "wowed" me with her understanding of math and science, and how to appreciate research and statistics. Not a conversation goes by where I don't walk away learning something new and wishing I could process things that way she does. 

When not reading the most recent research study released in a biology or science magazine you can find her home with her husband and kids most likely eating eggs of some sort. Mrs. Benedict loves her eggs...and her Peanut Butter M & M's. These are her two most favorite edible items. She loves to sit down with a bag of those M & M's and binge watch Big Brother or Survivor with her husband.

As you will find out she and her family are avid rock climbers. Their summers are consumed with this adventurous hobby as well as attending concerts (pre-Covid). She is a HUGE Dave Matthews Band and Mumford & Sons fan.

There is so much about this amazing teacher that I cannot wait for you to listen to this episode. Please like and review the episode and share it with a friend.