Mrs. Crow

First Grade Teacher

More than twenty years of teaching second grade at St. Hilary have not diminished Mrs. Crow’s enthusiasm for helping students learn. In fact, she is just as excited today as she was in 1986 about guiding children in their discovery of new things.

In Mrs. Crow’s classroom, learning is made fun through the use of games and other tools. English lessons might be reinforced through a game of “Win, Lose or Draw”, or possibly by using a computer program targeted at a particular math concept. Mrs. Crow’s students might also find themselves involved in a detective story designed to help them learn about nouns. “I like to work things other than paperwork into my lessons,” she says.

One tool Mrs. Crow particularly enjoys using with her students is the school’s mobile laptop lab. She uses the laptops for math and reading, as well as to teach nutrition and study the food guide pyramid. While learning about animals, students may view live webcam shots of the species they are studying. The laptops also prove useful in social studies lessons, where students use a 50 states website to hone their note taking, information gathering and computer usage skills.

A highlight of the second grade year is the “state lunch”, at which students are treated to pasta in the shape of the state of Ohio. For dessert, the students enjoy state-themed cookies they bake in the school kitchen with help from parent volunteers.

Mrs. Crow especially enjoys teaching reading to her students. She likes reading to them in class, and helping them to sharpen their skills as independent readers.

Each year, Mrs. Crow’s most memorable experience is assisting her students as they prepare for their first communion, and then being with them as they actually receive the sacrament. “The students really get excited,” she says. “There is such anticipation as we work together to prepare for this special day.” Mrs. Crow feels the overall Christian environment of St. Hilary School makes it a special place for children to experience their elementary school years.

A graduate of Kent State University, Mrs. Crow holds a bachelor of science degree in education. She enjoys gardening, reading and crafts.

 


Mrs. Monea

First Grade Teacher

Establishing a loving, caring atmosphere for her students is important to St. Hilary School first grade teacher, Mrs. Monea. “I try to build confidence and self-esteem in every child,” she says. “I like to instill the joy of learning in each of them.” A member of the St. Hilary faculty since 1995, Mrs. Monea previously taught third grade, worked as a reading specialist, and served as a kindergarten teaching assistant. She enjoys teaching first grade because the students are happy to be there and to learn. “Everything is new to them,” she says.

Mrs. Monea especially loves teaching reading, and frequently plans special activities to make books a part of her students’ lives. She says she truly enjoys working with parents, as well  "I am so blessed to have so many parents who help me, even parents whose children are not students in my class," she says.

Pleased that she is able to incorporate religion in everything she teaches, Mrs. Monea feels that is one of the best attributes of St. Hilary School. Additionally, she says parents, teachers and students work together to make the learning process successful. There is a great sense of community at St. Hilary, says Mrs. Monea. “People go out of their way to help,” she adds.

A graduate of Kent State University, Mrs. Monea holds bachelor’s degrees in both communication and teaching (1-8).  She and her husband have two sons.  She proudly states that her family is her hobby.

Mrs. Morrocco

First Grade Teacher

Since 2000, Mrs. Morrocco has enjoyed helping St. Hilary School first graders get off to a good start. She especially enjoys teaching because it allows her the opportunity to help children succeed. “I love it when students ‘get it’,” she says, describing the excitement for both teacher and student when a new concept is understood. Although Mrs. Morrocco teaches all first grade subjects, she is most fond of math and science.

Mrs. Morrocco feels the religious aspect of the St. Hilary educational experience really enriches the school’s offerings. “It is great to be able to approach situations with prayer,” she says. The fact that religion is incorporated into all aspects of classroom teaching in every grade is particularly important. Mrs. Morrocco adds that there is a feeling of community at St. Hilary that is not as common at other schools.

Students in Mrs. Morrocco’s classroom have many opportunities to learn through various techniques. She says her students seem to most enjoy rotating through centers in which they perform various activities. She divides the class into groups, and as the children spend time at each center, they have hands-on opportunities to reinforce what they are learning in class.

Mrs. Morrocco says she enjoys talking with former students who come back to visit her. She says they often recall details from her class that have impacted them in later years. It is gratifying to know that she has made a difference in the lives of her students, she says.

A graduate of the University of Akron, Mrs. Morrocco holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education (1-8). The youngest in a family of six siblings, she and her husband have three sons. Mrs. Morrocco enjoys camping and boating with her family, as well as reading.

Mrs. Ashton

First Grade Teaching Assistant

“I love being a part of children’s lives,” says St. Hilary School first grade teaching assistant, Mrs. Ashton. “It is a reward to come to work each day.” Mrs. Ashton has been working with students at St. Hilary since 1994. She says she feels blessed to have a job here, where she can watch kids grow. “I love my job!” says Mrs. Ashton.

The great thing about being a teaching assistant is having the ability to work one-on-one with students and get to know them well, Mrs. Ashton says. “Many schools don’t have assistants,” she says. “Having assistants here makes for a better ratio in the classroom and allows us to give the kids more individual attention.”

Mrs. Ashton describes her students as being excited about learning, and filled with unconditional love. One memorable event for her each year is helping the students prepare for their Mother’s Day tea. She says the students write essays about their mothers, and she describes the things they write as “precious”.

Among the best things about St. Hilary School, according to Mrs. Ashton, is the sense of community. She says the staff is close, and the students become close too, as they spend many years together. “This is a place where you can come and someone is always there for you,” she says.

Mrs. Ashton attended the University of Akron, where she completed coursework in child development. She is married with two grown sons, one of whom served in Iraq with the U.S. military. The other recently graduated from law school. “My family is my greatest accomplishment,” she says. Mrs. Ashton enjoys reading, walking, biking, and scrapbooking.

Mrs. Dangel

First Grade Teaching Assistant

Mrs. Dangel has been a member of the St. Hilary School staff since 1990. She loves her work as a first grade teaching assistant because the children are so precious. “They really put things into perspective,” she says. Mrs. Dangel has assisted in both first grade and kindergarten classrooms during her 19 years at St. Hilary.

The sense of community at St. Hilary and the ability of students to pray in school are especially meaningful to Mrs. Dangel. She loves that fact that students and staff can lift one another up in prayer during the school day. “I work here, play here and pray here,” she says. “St. Hilary is truly my community.”

A mother of two and grandmother of four, Mrs. Dangel’s greatest joy is spending time with her family and friends. Mrs. Dangel attended Ohio University.

Mrs. Hamlin

First Grade Teaching Assistant

Mrs. Hamlin has worked as a first grade teaching assistant at St. Hilary School since 2004, and says she loves her work. First grade is special, she says, because children at that level are learning to read. “It’s like a light goes on, and a new world is opened for them,” says Mrs. Hamlin.

Working at St. Hilary is special to her because of the family atmosphere, Mrs. Hamlin says. She comments that parents are very involved, and students are generally well prepared for school. Catholic teachings play a role in making St. Hilary stand apart from other schools, she says. “All kids make mistakes, and it’s nice to be able to deal with that in a Christian way,” says Mrs. Hamlin. She feels the presence of religion in the school helps students develop the moral foundation they need for life.

Mrs. Hamlin says she tries to focus on celebrating the accomplishments of her students. By keeping things positive, she feels she can help them be excited about school. Mrs. Hamlin enjoys the innocence of the students she works with, and says they provide a true boost to the spirits. She delights in the genuine hugs and love her students so freely give. “They are just wonderful,” says Mrs. Hamlin of her first graders.

Mrs. Hamlin and her husband are the parents of two St. Hilary students. She enjoys family time, knitting and cooking. A graduate of the University of Akron, Mrs. Hamlin holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration.