The end of every school year brings change to many people, not just the graduating seniors. Many of the staff at our school either shift to other educational facilities, districts, or pursue other career opportunities and retirement. This year, among the departing staff is Lisa Troiano. Working in the special education department since 2011, she has left a significant and positive mark on the program at our school.
Troiano has consistently aided people with disabilities and special needs throughout her career. She began by teaching kids on the spectrum and aiding them with their social skills through the secondary program, and then shifted to being a full-time member of our special education department. She has always been there to help kids with social needs, whether through teaching or in the Club Cafe.
Club Cafe, which Troiano has said is one of her favorite things about teaching at our school, allows students with social difficulties and communication issues to eat lunch together and bond. Additionally, her social skills classes have another yearly tradition that she always looks forward to. The Thanksgiving Day celebration involves a nice breakfast for the staff and administration while allowing for an educational opportunity for the students.
Alongside the students, she was also fond of her opportunities with the staff. The hospitality Sunshine Committee allowed her to have fun times during her work here.
“I was also on, I chaired the hospitality Sunshine Committee here for staff, and that was also great to, like, see staff in a positive atmosphere, having a good time,” Troiano says.
At her new work, she is excited to do what she loved most about our school. She is looking forward to assisting as many new, bright kids as possible throughout our district. Working with the kids and helping them was one of her main reasons for coming back every year, and continuing this through a new institution is fitting.
Troiano’s theme among her favorite activities during her time here always involves the students. In her future work, she will strive to help as many students in need as possible, and her passion for teaching and aid extends to other places of work.
However, she also has another positive aspect of working at our school. Troiano describes her experience with her colleagues as very fond and memorable. Alongside the students that she has worked with over the years, a supportive administration has helped her.
She has enjoyed her time at our school and is excited for a new start elsewhere. As such, she stated some final words of advice to the students and staff that she spent her time here at our school.
“The students, I would say to keep working hard, all those social things that we work on. And you, my colleagues, keep doing the good work that they do,” Troiano says.
