Mrs. Katherine Ricciardi

After 20 years of Homeschooling, Leading Groups of Children and Families, 4 years of Substitute Teaching for private Schools, and being an SEA in the Eau Claire Area School District for an Elementary School while working on a Dual Program of Graduate Studies in Education and Special Education, I have found that knowing the student is the primary way to effectively convey important information.  Young minds and hearts are very formable, and every student needs care and is worth teaching.  Every student has an individual learning style and can grow.  I believe that whether one teaches a whole classroom of students, or works with a student one on one, the time one puts into our young people today helps to form the future...our future.  We all can grow in our knowledge and understanding, and choosing to be a life long learner is a gift to share with the future generations. 

The responsible students who come through my classroom, I hope one day will help lead our nation.  I have high expectations and high hopes, in working with many people to collaborate and help form future global leaders starting right here in our own city!  Future resources depend upon individuals making good choices right now.  Helping them look to being the best version of themselves is my goal and hope.

I believe that every individual has the ability to find a safe and beautiful place to grow in the classroom.  I think that each individual can develop, no matter how big or small they are.  To grow in fluency and knowledge is a joy and strength of many individuals in the educational world.  Seeking to journey together, whether it be through a time of developmental growth, or intellectual accomplishment, every student has the ability to learn and grow in some way.  Sharing that journey, inspiring children and adults to be the best version of themselves, is a joy and desire of my heart.  Bringing an accepting culture to a real and safe space is the desire of my heart.  Every class is different.  Each year is different.  Seeing many different environments over the past 3 years has been eye opening and a gift.  I look forward to helping change our society with supporting one student at a time.  

Reference Quotes...

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"Katherine’s work ethic and determination to serve others is evident in her personal and

professional endeavors. Serving as a substitute teacher within my third grade classroom, Katherine

was able to meet each student with compassion and positivity. She was able to redirect students and

implement lessons in each core subject area. During her years spent as a substitute within our school

she showed a high level of commitment to serving children. As a parent volunteer, Katherine often

went above and beyond to make the classroom environment engaging. She understands how to

incorporate hands-on activities and the arts into student experiences that enhance learning.

Katherine's magnanimous personality provides a kind, safe space for students in the learning

environment and she is understanding of the diverse needs of students."

(Erika Galewski, Technology Coordinator/ 3rd Grade Teacher Regis, December, 2023) 

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"Katherine keeps her students' at the forefront of her lesson planning and strategies tried.  She is open to using new technology and trying researched practices.  There is nothing that she won't do to try and present information in a new and interesting way for her students to gain skills and meet objectives in learning.  From plays, to puppets, from blocks to pumpkins, from on the boards writing her plan so the students know what to expect, to using media for presentations by professionals, or those who live their cultures, she knows how to find what will connect to the students, and give brain breaks.  She uses real resources to build common background knowledge and has hands on manipulative for the students to use with math, and writing.  Her constructivist approach can be seen throughout her planning and strategies for students to make the information more than just a lesson, but part of their lives.  'Get up and move so that the brain processes information.'  Mrs. Ricciardi moves with her students and does what she asks them to do.  Her listening and ability to connect to a variety of learning styles helps all of the students learn in a way that is relevant to them."  

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"Persistent.  Hard Working. Dedicated. Encourages & Challenges to do one's best... Words that describe Katherine."  (Bettina Wahl, Former Piano Pupil 2020) 

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"Working with trauma and difficult situations- where one has to think on their feet- is one of her best qualities.  She does well in uncommon and unusual situations.  She is brilliant and researches what she doesn't know to learn.  As a thoughtful and descriptive writer,  Katherine approaches life with a unique blend of appreciation and expression in helping students and their families find healthy, peaceful expressions through creativity to process life, work through hard times, and live life to the full.  In a classroom, she focuses on good habits that will help students develop as respectful, responsible, & globally-minded human beings.  

Mrs. Ricciardi is a kind and compassionate leader, singer, and musician who teaches individuals with heart- she has lead others in music since she was 15 years old.  With the Downers Grove Community Center Choir in 2015, singing for the Women's Softball League in Chicago was one of the fun products/ projects of her reaching out to help students connect with the community around them.  Her thoughts of community in the big picture and individual expression, and development in the immediate picture with connecting them from start to finish never cease to amaze me.  "Get everyone involved- as much as they can be -in the best way possible" seems to be an underlying motto when it comes to community involvement and improving the lives of all around her.  

With all of the crafts, and sports through the years, she works well with children.  Surprises and difficult children are part of the norm for her.  She is professional, caring, a hard worker and wants the students she works with to develop virtues and good habits that will help them for the rest of the their lives. Drawing forth the best out of people is her mission and goal. I  admire her attitude, her mission, her vision and her work with these children.  As a loving mother, wife, grandmother and daughter, she understands the unique place of woman in our society.  Insightfulness in moving forward in relationships for the students, with forgiveness and repair is a strength in how she helps students move forward.  She sees, and brings out the best version of others, even when they can't see it themselves. Working with others in difficult situations, she is tactful, and when the senario could go "a different way," her positive and diplomatic approaches help keep all parties engaging in the task at hand calling everyone to the mission, and the focus of the moment." 

(Mrs. Hunt) 

Words (from Working Jobs)

Testimonial Quotes from Bosses in the Past: Barb Scholze- (Visionworks)

"Katherine is kind, caring, generous, loyal, devoted and strong.  I knew that I could count on her for every thing I needed and that she would do would produce excellent results.  Everything she did had a great outcome.  She took on the technology challenges and responded to the patients, doctors and peers needs.  She's a well rounded, lovely person." (Barb Scholze, January 2024)

Moving One Step at a Time

Resume For Elementary Education

"Katherine is caring.  Clearly, she cares very much about all students and enjoys teaching and learning."

"Her creativity leads to looking for different ways to teach the kids and her curiosity leads to good questions and how to proceed."

(Student Teacher Mrs. Alyssa Hamerla, SPED K-2 Teacher Roosevelt Elementary School 11/2023)