LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kristen Fusaro-Pizzo

Position: English, PCT, UFTTC
School: Staten Island Technical High School
School District: 31
City, State: Richmond County, NY

Support Kristen Leave a comment Get Updates

Music that Describes Kristen

Kristen Fusaro-Pizzo was nominated by a colleague, Joseph Frazzetto, as well as an anonymous student. The following profile contains text from each nomination.

"Kristen Fusaro-Pizzo is an exceptional colleague and a fantastic friend and teacher. She won the NYC Big Apple Award, and I could not think of a more deserving individual. Kristen dedicates her life to education. She spends hours, weekly, wracking her brain with how to hone, fix, and rewrite her curriculum so that it is consistently beneficial and meaningful to all her students," said Frazzetto.

"Not only does she keep students at the forefront of her work, but she also takes ample time to help other teachers. As our UFT Teacher's Center instructional coach and model teacher, Kristen is always at the ready when it comes to helping others share in her passion for education. She organizes many workshops and PDs throughout the year, all for the sake of helping teachers be better instructors for their students," said Frazzetto.

"As instructional shifts roll out, Kristen is often spearheading much of the nuanced nature involved in education," said Frazzetto. "She is the first to jump in and try new things with her students, and she takes time to hear their feedback before bringing it before the rest of the staff. Her students are always huge fans of her adaptability and compassion when she's shifting things for their benefit."

"To leave off with a personal anecdote, Kristen was my mentor when I first arrived at this school with only a few short years of experience. Kristen was patient and understanding in everything we did. I could see a side of her that most of our colleagues cannot say they have--I was her student in this respect. She taught me everything that I know about how to be a good teacher, how not to take things personally, how to read the room, and how to remember to be a human. Most importantly, she taught me always to remember that everyone before you is also a human with their own stress and struggles, and they deserve just as much compassion and empathy," said Frazzetto.

"In short, Kristen deserves much more than this award. She is likely worthy of a status that moves beyond the classroom and beyond the Department of Education--she can be a citywide educational leader. However, she remains in the classroom, where she can do what is most important and impactful, and she does it better than anyone I have ever seen, with a passion and creativity that goes unmatched," said Frazzetto.

"Ms. Fusaro has had an incredible impact on my life and the lives of countless students, and her dedication to fostering inclusivity and empathy in education is truly exceptional," said the student. "Ms. Fusaro's groundbreaking curriculum, 'Gods, Monsters, and the Apocalypse,' is a testament to her innovation and commitment to providing students with a unique and enriching educational experience. She created this curriculum and spearheaded the initiation of the elective English program at Staten Island Tech, offering students like me the opportunity to explore literature from fresh and thought-provoking perspectives.

What sets Ms. Fusaro apart is her unwavering dedication to listening to her students, valuing their voices, and creating a safe and supportive environment for all. Under her guidance, I felt heard and comfortable enough to come out as a queer, transgender woman when I entered college. Her understanding and encouragement were pivotal in my journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ms. Fusaro's teaching is her ability to infuse classical literature with a contemporary relevance that honors marginalized voices and perspectives. Her commitment to highlighting the experiences of the "other" within these works is unparalleled. Through her teaching, I gained a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of those historically overlooked or silenced.

Every day, I am thankful for the profound impact Ms. Fusaro has had on my life. She has enriched my understanding of literature and helped me become a more compassionate and empathetic individual. Her dedication to creating a more inclusive and accepting world through education is inspiring, and I believe she deserves the Life Changer of the Year Award.

In conclusion, Ms. Fusaro's innovative curriculum, dedication to student well-being, and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices make her a deserving candidate for this prestigious award."

241 275 259 260 292

Comments (9)

Mary Posted over a year ago

Kristen Is one if the most dedicated teachers I know , always putting the students before an

Teresa DeMeo Posted over a year ago

Both my son and daughter had the honor of being in Kristen’s class. They would share stories of how much Kristen was different than the other teachers and how she would go out of her way to explain lessons and make them feel valued as individuals. I have had the honor to get to know Kristen, and I can honestly say that she is a remarkable educator and human being. She truly is a life changer and deserves this recognition!

Christine Hanley Posted over a year ago

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Kristen as an instructional coach with the UFT Teacher Center. As her field liaison, I support her needs at the school with resources and opportunities from the organization. It is during our coaching conversations that my thinking is stretched. I leave each session invigorated with a list of new ideas, instructional and otherwise. Kristen brings innovation to the classroom daily, learning and growing alongside her students. Her innovation does not stop there. In her work with the community of adult learners she supports, Kristen found creative ways to use grant funding from the UFT Teacher Center to lift the voices and experiences of her colleagues. During sessions filled with food and fun, staff at the school showcase their unique strengths, best practices and professional journey in what Kristen aptly titled the series, “Feast Your Mind.” Kristen has fostered a culture of growth where learning is celebrated and shared, both in and out of the classroom. Anyone who has the opportunity to spend time with her as a student, colleague, or friend undoubtedly is better for the experiences shared.

Rachel Elfassy Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Fusaro is both a learner and a leader for her school community. She is unapologetically bold in her approach to teaching with the goal of engaging young adults to cultivate their voice, guiding them to become citizens of the world. She is the epitome of leadership and should be highly considered for this award.

Kirsten Posted over a year ago

Kristen and I became close friends on the Peloton platform. We would often workout together. Kristen is always encouraging and full of positivity. She a wonderful friend.I am so grateful for her. Sincerely, Kirsten

Patricia Wong Posted over a year ago

You always make me think more critically and level up my pedagogy.

Heidi Chu Posted over a year ago

Kristen continues to be my rock whenever I need support with my pedagogical practices. She makes me a better teacher for my students and inspires me through our conversations—she’s a great listener—simply by considering my ideas and giving me the confidence to make them possible!

Paul Wiley Posted over a year ago

I have had the honor to witness the incredible arc and impact of Kristen's career from a unique perspective, having met her during her first year as a classroom teacher. Furthermore, I have the unique joy of working with her again today, many years later. What a tremendous experience for me to be able to see promise not only fulfilled, but exceeded far beyond expectations. Even as a first-year teacher, Kristen had numerous gifts that one would expect to see in someone far more seasoned. Her passion for her students, her ability to buoy them as the navigated Shakespeare for the very first time, and her awe of great writing and story telling transcended any preconceived notion of what "first year" teaching might look like. She was not afraid to challenge herself and her students, and was certainly not afraid to imbue her classroom with laughter, passion and high expectations. Technically, I was her mentor. I often wondered, who was truly being mentored here? I was grateful for every moment I was able to observe her and the joy she brought to her students. Kristen ultimately left that school, but I was afforded another unique opportunity: to field the dozens upon dozens of inquiries over the years from her very first students who asked, "How is Ms. Fusaro-Pizzo? Can you tell her 'hello' and how much I loved her class?" Her original 8th grade classes, now adults, had not forgotten Kristen or her class. And for many, she was their only exposure to writers such as Shakespeare and tales such as Beowulf. How lucky they were. Now, well over a decade later, I have the pleasure to call her "colleague" again. Although we are in a different setting, Kristen's intelligence and insight continue to be impactful and, dare I say, life-changing. Not only is she now a master teacher to a lucky group of 12th grade students who explore the wonders and nuances in the Mythology college-level course that she created, but she is also a collaborative and caring colleague who spends much of her time and energy supporting her fellow teachers and friends across all departments. She will swiftly and adeptly provide a teacher with the necessary perspective to make their ideas fly, and will remove the "fear factor" that many teachers face as they try to improve and hone their practice. She is able to buoy highly-educated adults as they navigate classroom challenges in the same way in which I first saw her buoy those young people as they discovered the magic of Macbeth. Was my statement that Ms. Fusaro-Pizzo was able to change lives dramatic? Absolutely not. I have seen her change the lives of 13 year-olds in Brooklyn, high school seniors in Staten Island, and countless teachers who are still able to pursue the love of their craft because of someone like Kristen Fusaro-Pizzo. All these years later, as we now once again walk the same hallways, I am still in awe. And I continue to ask the question, "Who was mentoring who?" I am thrilled and honored to be mentored by Kristen, and so incredibly grateful that so many others see what I saw the first time she stepped into a classroom. She loves the profession, she loves her students and all of us who have learned from her mastery are forever changed.

Jessica Pisano Posted over a year ago

I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Kristen as both a student and a colleague. I still remember the feelings she evoked in us over a decade ago, as Sophomores in an English classroom. She brought the material to life, had a group of apathetic 15 year olds engaging with the texts in way we never had before. She is simply an exceptional educator. Most notable for me personally was the investment she had in me as a person. She was my go-to adult in the school, always willing to offer advice, her witty sense of humor, or a sympathetic ear. She poured love into me at a time when I needed it most. She listened, she saw me, and she cultivated my potential. Teachers like that only come once in a lifetime. Fast forward seven years and I went from student to colleague. I got to see that Kristen’s pedagogy grew even more from the days where we learned Lord of the Flies. She is a zealous student of the latest educational principles, an innovative thought leader, and now a faithful friend. Our school community is lucky to have her. She pushes us all to be better for our students and the future of education and is a true example of someone who changes lives. Mine included.