With the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering schools this spring, educators have been thrown into an unfamiliar role — trying to teach their students at a distance.
We wanted to throw a spotlight on Greater Sudbury educators who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for their students in these unusual times, and perhaps shown a bit of creativity as they engage their students.
Sudbury.com asked readers for their nominations for local educators who fit this bill, and we received no less than three nominations for Dominic Vicedomini, a registered early childhood educator who works with kindergarten students at Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School.
“Mr. Vicedomini is truly amazing with the children at Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School, and especially so with the children in his JK / SK Kindergarten class,” said Laurie Sabourin Riach.
“His kind and lovable personality is a quality that he should be recognized for. Mr. V THANK YOU for everything that you do!”
“He has gone above and beyond to make sure his students succeed,” said Natasha Appolloni. “He assigns lessons that are clear and concise, he makes himself available at any hour of the day for assistance and he provides constant support and encouragement. He engages students and fosters relationships with his patient and kind personality.
“It is clear that Mr.V not only cares about our children’s intellectual development but also their emotional development. He is committed to his job and surpasses expectations.”
Vicedomini, who has been a registered early childhood educator for 10 years, said he was touched by the nominations.
“When I read the comments, I was very humbled,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. I actually teared up as I was reading some of them. It really warmed my heart.
“It made me feel good that I was being able to help our students. I want them to achieve. It is a difficult time for everyone right now. Seeing that really made my day.”
Vicedomini said he and Holy Trinity’s kindergarten teacher Keara McGuire have been setting up fun distance learning activities, including at-home scavenger hunts for the kids.
They use an app called Bloom to communicate with the parents on Sunday nights, sending out their weekly distance learning plan.
“We understand that families have different schedules,” Vicedomini said. “We’re very flexible in what they’re able to do and when they’re able to do it.
“And then parents are able to send us photos of their children doing the work, or things that they’ve worked on or completed, and then they can comment back to them through the app.”
Vicedomini said he really misses his students, and looks forward to when he can see them in person again.
“It is hard being away from them,” he said in an early May interview. “I miss seeing their smiling faces, and because they’re so young, they’re like sponges right now. And every day they grow a little bit. Not seeing them now for almost two months, it’s hard.
“Each week we have a Zoom session on Fridays. We get to do a weekly check-in with them and see how they’re doing, and they share with us something that they’ve worked on that week.
“So we’re still able to see them, but it’s nice to see them in person. Soon, I hope.”
Do you know of an educator who has gone above and beyond for their students as learning moved mostly online during the pandemic? Send your nominations to [email protected].
Be sure to include their first and last name and where they work so we can get in touch with them.
Please note these educators could teach anything from daycare or kindergarten, to grade school, to high school, to college or university.
