By: Cheryl Lynn Vanase
Posted In: Entertainment
Photo credit: N’Italia DeAngelis
DeAngelis is an active member of the Salve community through her work with various student activities and organizations.
Many of us most likely know her from somewhere around campus. It seems as though she’s involved in every club and event imaginable. It makes one have to stop and think, “Does this girl sleep?!” N’Italia DeAngelis, quite appropriately, earns the label, ‘Miss Salve’, sustained by her trademark genuine passion and interest in others, and for her constant energy in which she focuses towards reaching her goals of success. DeAngelis will be graduating in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Special Education.
During her spare time, which is slim-to-none after academics, DeAngelis is immensely involved with the student life. She is fulfilling her second year as a student activist and member of the Student Government Association (SGA). She has been on the dance team since her first year at Salve Regina University and loves every second of performing. DeAngelis has dedicated her well-balanced lifestyle and role model qualities to the residents of Miley Hall and New Residence dormitory for two years. She sacrificed her spring break by volunteering with Campus Ministry’s Alternative Spring Break program, where her efforts went far beyond volunteering to feed the hungry, befriend the homeless and assist in Spanish speaking classrooms. She contributes the majority of her community service hours to campus-held events such as the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, Special Olympics, March into Reading as well as the upcoming Kucheza Kwa Watoto: Dancing for Children (a dance marathon to benefit the Nyumbani Orphanage in Kenya). Her career goal is to become a teacher and here she tells us what her life is like on the road to her dream classroom. Q: Why have you decided to become a teacher? A: It is what I have always wanted to do! I think teaching is about the children, it is about making the difference in each of their lives. For as long as I can remember, this is how I saw my future. in a classroom. I’ll be a teacher for the rest of my life! Q: Describe what you think a good teacher is. A: To me, a good teacher makes the classroom apart of who he or she is. One’s personality and attention to details should shine from every aspect of the classroom. It is about exceeding the expectations of the curriculum and policies. A good teacher has what it takes to really get in there, reflect on the uniqueness of all the students, be available for them and have the ability to convey this message- making it known to each individual who steps foot in his or her territory. A good teacher knows that he or she is not perfect and will never be, and feels at ease with it. Moreover, a good teacher loves every second of being with her students. Q: What has it been like to study and prepare for your career? A: Well, my major is Elementary/Special Education with an Early Childhood Education endorsement. It has its ups- and-downs, just like every other major, but the ups definitely out weigh the downs. For education majors, the approach and technique is entirely different because we are not focusing on textbooks, papers and presentations. Instead, we frequently pull all-nighters, create lesson plans, and try to make them as enjoyable and interesting as possible. It may seem like simple-minded arts-and-crafts to some, but for us, we have grown to appreciate the long and tedious time and effort that a lesson plan requires. Oh, and skipping and assignment or handing something in late is just not an option. Showing up to a classroom, packed with what seems like 30 Energizer Bunnies, and being ill-prepared is just about the worse nightmare imaginable. Q: Describe your dream classroom. A: Oh! I love this question! My classroom, for first and second graders, will definitely feel like the second home for all of my students. I will make sure of this! It will be print rich, with colors gleaming from every surface I can possibly adhere to and books and books galore. Q: Where will you get the books and how many are we talking here? A: A teacher must supply her own books for the classroom. Already, I have a collection of about 50 children’s books that are classroom and age specific. I’ve been asking for children’s books for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, etc., since my senior year of high school. Opening up a present and seeing them makes me the happiest girl alive. P.S. My birthday is December 16!
