M'ville Catholic Teacher of Year in New York State

Students in the sixth grade in the Mechanicville School District know they are always going to have a "good Day."

That's because Liz Day was recently chosen by the State Education Department as New York State Teacher of the Year. She teaches language arts, reading, mathematics and science.

The 27-year teacher is a parishioner of Assumption/St. Paul parish, where she is a cantor and a member of the choir.

Woman of faith

Rev. William Recchuti, OSA, pastor, wasn't surprised that Mrs. Day won the award because she is "intelligent and versatile, a very good example of a woman living her faith.

"I have seen her in action. She has a great way with kids." When she interacts with children, "it is as if she is speaking and listening to just one child in a one-on-one conversation."

"I really do enjoy being around young people," Mrs. Day told The Evangelist. "They have a lot of energy and hope, and they teach me so many things. Each child comes into the classroom with his or her own individual needs. Some come from broken homes; others, from blended families. Some don't want to go home after school. What is most important to me is that each and every one of my students know that someone cares about them, that they are not alone, that they respect themselves and each other."

Long-term link

Mrs. Day believes that teaching is not just a one-year association with a student but a long-term commitment of guiding that student to maturity. An example of how she does that occurs annually.

"Each year, our sixth-grade students take a Spring Talent Show to our local nursing home," she said. "Each student performs or presents what they want; it can be singing, dancing, recitations and even science presentations. It gives the students the opportunity to become familiar with the senior community and their needs. It gives the seniors some interaction with young people, and an opportunity for entertainment and participation.

"I've taken videos of the students. When we do the show, I invite high school seniors to attend. I play the video that I made of them performing when they were sixth graders. This gives them the opportunity to keep connected, reinforcing their commitment to the community as young adults. It's a wonderful time for all of us, and it really makes a difference, especially with the high school students."

Looking back

Completing the application for Teacher of the Year gave Mrs. Day an opportunity to "really review my life as a teacher," she said, noting that one of the highlights was the realization that being with children in the classroom "really defines who I am.

"We all define ourselves in certain ways: mother, wife and friend. I guess I realized that I define myself as 'teacher' because it is such a big part of my life and I still love what I do."

She believes that the continuity a teacher has in the community is very important and that teachers must be willing to make a lifetime commitment to their profession, becoming "living examples for their students [and] good, solid role models."

(In addition to teaching and parish ministry, Liz Day is a charter member of the Colonie Memorial Band, consisting of high school students and adults who perform throughout the Capital District. She plays the piano and flute.)

(8/26/04)