LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Thomas Giordano was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous.

Mr. Giordano goes above and beyond to help students and teachers at his school. He is a well-rounded person who is involved in his community and is constantly working to better himself.  

As a paraprofessional, Mr. Giordano has worked as a teacher’s aide in many programs, working with students of various ages and disabilities, including multiply-disabled, lower and middle school programs. He is able to develop relationships with every student he works with.  He makes up inside jokes or finds some other way to connect with each student, regardless of their educational level or background.  Mr. Giordano is able to meet them on their level to provide them with support while simultaneously challenging them to get out of their comfort zone and exceed others’ expectations.

Last year, through lots of patience and repetition, Mr. Giordano helped a lower school MD student learn how to cut and eat pizza on his own. The relationships he builds with students last over the years; former students who have gone to high school will ask for him at bus duty or go out of their way to greet him at campus-wide events.  He is looked up to as a role model and someone the students can trust and rely on. 

Teachers look to Mr. Giordano as a classroom aide they can count on. He is an expert at his job; whether it's his reading, writing, woodshop or art skills, teachers know he has a mastery over the subjects being taught. He is able to work with any student to help them understand these subjects, as well.  Mr. Giordano runs the spelling center in Fairview classes, prepares work, helps with bulletin boards and any other tasks teachers might need.  At the same time, he is able to maintain control of his students and reinforce rules with them so they are able to learn.  He works one on one with students who need additional help and reinforces and re-teaches material learned in class.  He is aware of and is sensitive to any issues that may be going on with a student, whether they're physical or emotional. Mr. Giordano is also involved with his students' parents.  During campus events, when parents are at school, he speaks with them about their child’s progress and any concerns.  He collects weekly folders and responds to any issues parents might have and takes care of forms that are sent in. 

Beyond his regular job description, Mr. Giordano does random tasks around school and participates in and volunteers for numerous committees.  He is the resident water boy, replacing the water bottles when needed.  He is the one called upon when something needs to be cleaned out or organized, fixed or made quickly.  Mr. Giordano moves the clocks forward or back, constructs foot rests, and unsticks jammed lockers.  He volunteers for more than his required number of committees.  He is the chair of the KERT team and diligently updates emergency information and to go bags.  Mr. Giordano has made school safety a top priority, and he researches up to date safety procedures and protocol on his own time.  He has a big part in each year’s school play, building and painting sets, supervising students and even participating on stage if needed.  He is the chair of the end of the year picnic for which he organizes and cooks.  Mr. Giordano also helps organize the end of the year trip and volunteers to chaperone on other trips, as well. He is always willing to lend a hand setting up or taking out the garbage for other events, even if he is not on the committee.  During the winter months, he works on the snow removal crew, coming in when school is closed or before it opens to make sure the campus is safe for everyone.  Mr. Giordano is always willing to take whatever job is given to him and deal with last minute changes.  He is willing to sub wherever needed and quickly acclimates to his new role.  He always does what is best for the students and strives to make each day happy and pleasant for those around him, no matter what.

Outside of Katzenbach, Mr. Giordano has shown dedication to the education profession.  Starting in January 2016, he began taking classes at Bucks County Community College, working towards his Associate’s degree in Heath and Physical Education.  He eventually wants to earn his Bachelor’s in teaching and become a Health and Physical Education teacher at Katzenbach.  Mr. Giordano has been working diligently on his degree, taking up to 3 classes per semester while working full time.  He has achieved Dean’s list and is in the process of joining a national leadership society through his school.  He has been applying much of what he is learning to his current job and is also able to bring a lot to his college classes because of his extensive experience here at Katzenbach.

Mr. Giordano’s booming voice and wide grin are known by most everyone at Katzenbach, from nursery students to high school, grounds crew through administration.  He treats everyone he meets with the same level of respect and compassion.  He is a down to earth, friendly, hardworking person that brightens the day of every person he comes across.  His enthusiasm for his job and passion for expanding his career are honorable. He goes above and beyond every day to enhance the learning experiences of all students and inspire his coworkers with his positivity.  For these reasons, Mr. Giordano is a LifeChanger!