Gina Rotanelli

Today “Beyond the Chalkboard” brings you Gina Rotanelli or as her students lovingly call her, Ms. Ro! Where do I start with Gina? How could I ever team teach again knowing that she would not be my co-teacher in the classroom? I feel like no words would do this woman justice!

I was lucky enough to share a classroom with this woman and I’ll just start by saying that having the two of us in a room together was a risky decision because the energy levels were through the roof. COVID robbed us of the chance to finish off the year with our Algebra 1 team taught classes and frankly, I’m still not over it! There were days where we would start laughing hysterically facilitating our lessons (if you haven’t heard the “it’s wrinkly” story, you’re missing out) and our kids would sit there in awe of our lung capacity. We wanted those kids to forget any troubles they had and know that they were safe and loved in our classroom and that was all possible because of Gina.

Gina was a big loss for the classroom and even though she is killing in her new specialist role as a Special Education resource teacher for Falls Church’s career and technical education department, I selfishly wish we were team teaching together again.

No student ever felt abandoned by Gina. She would spend hours naming EVERY kid by name and need and ensuring that her instruction would reach each and every single one even if that meant reconfiguring a seating chart or adding a color-coded reference sheet to one student’s study guide, she wanted every student to feel like they could access and prosper in her course. Need to pass a state test for certification (down with standard testing!), Gina’s already got a 5-phase plan to make sure you crush it. Having difficulties advocating for yourself in another teacher’s course, Gina will coach you through how to navigate those conversations.

I was intimidated to work with her because I remember feeling like a baby teacher whose skill set still had ways to go but I think we learned so much from each other. Her experiences and background in Special Education made my pedagogical and interventionalist tool kit much more robust and my understanding of the vertical articulation and horizontal articulation of the content (I’m rolling my eyes thinking about the eduspeak) gave her more insight into how to differentiate our lessons for the varying levels in the room.

And even with all this deep, professional knowledge, Gina knows that in education (and in everything for that matter), the most important thing is relationships. Her heart is never too full to love another student and I can only hope to be half of the amazing educator that she is.

Why did you choose to become a teacher?

I entered my freshman year at JMU with an undeclared major. At the beginning of my Sophomore year, I was sitting in one of the campus cafeterias eating lunch when live coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting hit all the news channels. Over the next few days, I began to read as much information as I could find about the shooter. Of  many realizations, I discovered that this student had an emotional disability that did not appear to be addressed throughout his adolescent life. Many that knew the student reported that he was very quiet and usually by myself. Reports also indicated that he did not have many friends. As I continued to read more, my heart became heavier and heavier as I dug deeper into this student's back story.  I declared my major that following week---this, in large part,  is why I decided to become a special education teacher, my focus being on students with emotional disabilities. I kept thinking to myself that just maybe if  this student had someone like me, someone within the school that saw his pain and reached out to help him advocate for the help he needed,that things may or may not have unfolded the way they did. I felt like I was a sitting witness to the product of what happens when the emotional needs of a population go unmet.  The psychology of how your brain processes emotions fascinated me. I always try to figure out why people do what they do because there is always a function behind every behavior. 

Is there a memory that stands out from your career?

A former student who grew up in various foster/adoptive homes which were abusive.  I’ll never forget the day. I was sitting in my classroom finishing up with some work at around 5:36 pm. As I was gathering my belongings and locking my classroom door, I heard someone screaming, “Ms. Ro!!”  I turned around, and the student was running down the hall toward me with tears in her eyes. All of her belongings were scattered in the hall behind her.  I brought her into my room and sat her down and tried to calm her down. She told me that she got in a huge fight with her foster parent who told her she did not want her anymore. The foster parent said that she was taking her and her belongings to the police station. The student said she screamed, “No! Take me to Ms. Ro!”  So, she was dropped off at the front of the school.  Luckily one of my coworkers was still in the building, and I asked her to help me figure out what to do. My coworker contacted the principal, who had already left the building. We knew we needed to find a place for this girl to spend the night, and a plan for her to remain safe and complete her education. With the help of my principal, I found a shelter that would take her. I packed a bag of food and some clothes for her that I happened to have in my car.   

The student had recently turned 18, and I knew that resources were going to be limited for her. I took her to Social Services to apply for food stamps. I also went to a local church that she was attending. I asked the church if anyone would be willing to support her in case the shelter could not keep her. 

As days went by the situation continued to weigh on me. A week before homecoming the student said she had never been to a dance before. After everything she had been through, this was heartbreaking to hear from a girl who loves to sing and dance.  The morning of the homecoming dance I realized I needed to do something about this.  Later that day, I drove to the shelter, and called the student on the phone from outside. I told her to look out the window. She looked out the window, I asked her to go to the homecoming dance with me. She replied, “But I have nothing to wear.” One of the girls in the shelter said that she would do her hair and makeup. I told her not to worry and to come downstairs. I had a surprise for her. I drove her to the local department store. When we got to the store I told her to pick out what she wanted to wear. She looked so happy, I took a picture of her in the dress, and I still treasure that picture today.

At the dance she was so elated and she danced and danced. Others approached me and commented on how they had never seen this girl so happy. I was only scheduled to chaperone half of the dance, but I could not leave because I wanted to continue to see her joy. After the dance, she said with tears in her eyes, “This is the greatest night of my life, Ms. Ro. I will never forget that you did this for me. Thank you for always believing in me.”

Now, several years later, she is married and the parent of a beautiful baby girl.

What big ideas for change do you envision in education?

The idea behind standardized testing needs to be revisited in a big way.  I view these exams as inequitable to many, making me a strong believer of the need for an alternative means of showing mastery. We need to  remove the ‘one size fits all' glove. Students need multiple modalities to express what they learn. There needs to be another form of accountability that does not involve solely standardized tests. I also believe in the importance of transition planning at a young age. More emphasis within the school should focus on career exploration and soft skills needed for success in postsecondary life. Furthermore, I believe that career focused tracks should be an option for students. Transition needs to be more of the focus earlier for success.

What does your self care look like?

This has been a challenge for me because I am always thinking of my students, and not myself.  Over the years I FINALLY realized that I can’t pour from an empty pot. Since my mind is constantly working on how to make improvements at my job, I make to-do lists.  I take long walks with my dog to clear my mind. I keep in touch with my family and friends. I have been working on taking lunch every day(for those that know me, know that this is very difficult for me). I don’t keep things bottled up. I am very open with how I feel. I have a good network of friends who help me detach from the work day.