About the web master, Mrs. Janis

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Nurnberger
Nancy Sasso Janis, BA, MAT,
and former Computer Novice  


About the web master  
Mrs. Janis teaches first grade at Maple Hill School in Naugatuck, CT.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield in 1981
and was co-valedictorian of her graduating class.  She received her Master of Arts
in Teaching from Sacred Heart in 1989.

This is her twenty-third year teaching kindergarten or first grade.
Her hobbies include singing and shopping for children's books.
As you may have guessed,  her favorite color is purple.
Mrs. Janis' knowledge of computer technology has steadily improved over the years
and she now serves as the technology trainer at Maple Hill. As such she teaches a
workshop for fellow teachers on building a classroom web site using Netscape Composer.
Currently, five teachers have posted their site on Naugy.net that they built using the template
she developed.

This was her first web site.  She is also the web master for a site for each
of her three sons and has taken over the Maple Hill School web site from Mrs. Sciacca.
 
Recording contemporary
Christian music of a friend        The gangs all here!               Who is that?
See more  
 

Voices from Yale-New Haven Project

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You Want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need To know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?" "Teachers make every other profession "

Five Things You Can Do To Help a Teacher

1. See your child's teacher as a partner. Parents and teachers should work together in the best interest of the child.

2. Work to achieve good teacher-parent communication. Mrs. Bush favors a phone in every classroom so teachers can call parents if a child is absent or is missing homework.

3. Show an interest in your child's education.  Go to the school play or the class party.

4. Volunteer, whether or not you have children. Spend an hour a week reading with a child.

5.  Ask a teacher, "What can I do to help?"  Offer to do little things, such as cleaning a room or a cabinet.