Congratulations to Beth Ann Fierro, Oakwood Primary Center’s Teacher of the Year! Ms. Fierro has been with the South Huntington School District for 34 years. She started teaching at Maplewood in September of 1990 where she taught second grade for two years. In 1993, when the district reorganized the elementary buildings, she was moved to Oakwood where she’s been at home ever since. As a math coach, she gets to work with all the students in Oakwood sharing her love of math and hoping to get them to love it too.
From the first day of third grade, Ms. Fierro knew she wanted to grow up to teach. She was inspired by her teacher, Miss Smith, who created “an inspiring environment where I felt safe to be myself and take risks.” Ms. Fierro says her teacher was the kindest, most loving, caring and extremely patient individual who provided the initial tools she needed to follow her passion.
Oakwood principal Annie Michaelian calls Ms. Fierro a “hero in the Math Lab!” As Math Leader at Oakwood, Ms. Fierro’s colleagues count on her to learn and teach the newly-adopted Math program to them. She spends countless hours planning lessons for students to work on in Math Lab and even puts together special Math Game Nights for Oakwood families to come in and be a part of at the school.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education from Dowling College, Ms. Fierro received her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook. What she’s learned on the job all these years from her students is to be PATIENT. As she’s observed that her students learn at different rates, it’s reminded her to slow down, reteach, reinforce and provide various math tools and concepts that students need for their individual learning process and have the patience to provide the extra time for those who need it.
She also wants to be an example for her students in the community so you’ll find her at various district and PTA functions such as Bingo Night, Story Night, Trunk-Or-Treat, and the Homecoming Parade. Ms. Fierro says showing that she cares about her “second home” shows her students that where they live is a special place.
Ms. Fierro is extremely thankful for this recognition in a profession that she always strived for. She is grateful to her colleagues who have encouraged and motivated her to work hard. And she hopes that her former and present students know that they have impacted her as much as she hopes to have impacted them in a positive way over the years.