LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Margaret DeSimone

Position: Sixth Grade English Language Arts Teacher
School: Staten Island School of Civic Leadership
School District: New York City Department of Education District 31
City, State: Staten Island, NY

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Margaret DeSimone was nominated by two parents of students, Theresa Awad and Tricia Garcia.

Ms. DeSimone has been working at her school since it started in 2009. She helped build the school’s English curriculum, is the coordinator of the New York Public Library reading program at her school, and provides training and support to her fellow ELA teaching colleagues.

"My son had always named English and language arts as his least favorite subjects," Garcia said. "However, after completing sixth grade ELA with Ms. DeSimone, it became his most loved subject."

It all started at the beginning of the school year, when Ms. DeSimone clearly outlined the class and patiently explained her expectations. She provided him with concise instructions that set the foundation for a great student-teacher relationship.

During the year, she gave him added responsibilities within her class as a specific way to boost his progression in any area where he needed improvement. She also consistently communicated with Garcia and provided additional helpful resources, as well as notifications about upcoming community or school ELA-beneficial events, all while providing updates on Garcia's son's educational progression.

“At the end of sixth grade, my son received his first ever Gold President's Award for Academic Excellence for maintaining a 95% or more overall average. I specifically attribute this to the diligence and high moral, ethical and educational standards that were set, as well as the follow-through and accountability he received being a student of Ms. Margaret DeSimone. She embodies all that it means to be a teacher and LifeChanger,” Garcia said.

"As a parent, I'm a firm believer in the importance of my children's academics," said Awad. "In sixth grade, my daughter Sophia began to struggle a little bit in the area of English & Language Arts. Ms. Desimone figured out how to push Sophia and had her redo her work at times, demanding better. Over time, Sophia's work improved and she became very proud of herself."

“As an educator and parent, it is our job to guide our students and children and help them to put their best foot forward. I am truly grateful that we as a family were fortunate enough to have a teacher like Ms. DeSimone who saw the capabilities that our daughter possessed and challenged her and did not allow her to slip on by,” Awad said. “Ms. DeSimone critiqued Sophia's work in ways that allowed her grow. In my opinion, I feel that Ms. DeSimone will challenge any student and show them what they are capable of achieving.”

Ms. DeSimone teaches children to believe in themselves by placing motivational quotes around the room. She gives them confidence and the tough love they also need when it comes to academics.

“As we were writing this nomination, my daughter added this remark: ‘She was tough, but we saw it pay off when we had the highest Statewide ELA score in Staten Island,‘” Awad said. “It is impressions like this that teachers like Ms. DeSimone leave on our children. Sophia is now a high school student and enrolled in an Honors Scholars Program. I believe that Ms. DeSimone's encouragement and philosophy of school and not giving up and pushing yourself was a contributing factor.”

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Comments (1)

Jenna Giustino Posted over a year ago

I can still remember when my mother changed careers to become a teacher. Before, I had never heard a word about her work life as a real estate agent. However, as soon as she began teaching; I saw a shift. She would come home full of excitement and passion when a lesson went well. She would smile and tell stories about the students that made up her class. I would watch as she poured herself into her grading; meticulously analyzing the data she could use to help her students grow. She spoke about teaching the same way I’d heard her speak about myself and my sister, as if it were the love of her life.She would take us to visitations and I can still remember how the students would line up to meet me. All because meeting Ms. DeSimone’s daughter was just that special. I didn’t know it then, but that was the first sign that my mother was changing the lives of children other than just myself. Years later, when I was in college I was pondering what career path to choose, it was her words that stood out in my head. Teaching is the best job in the world she would say. When I would log onto facebook I would see posts from students, who were now adults, writing about how she impacted their life for the better. Every sign was pointing in the direction that I should follow my mother’s footsteps. And that I did. I have now been teaching for five years, and I know it was my mother’s influence that helped me to see the magic of teaching. There is no one better that I can turn to for advice on lesson plans, differentiation, and engagement. It is something that has and will always connect us. Years later, and she still has that passion for teaching that brand new teachers have. It is as if she falls in love with her career more and more each day. I believe that she is a special kind of teacher. The kind that makes others want to teach. The kind that makes kids want to read, to want to do better. I believe that she is an inspiration because she makes everyone believe: teaching is the best job in the world.