WHS WELCOMES A NEW WIZARD

By ERIN WILSON

Some of the biggest contributors to the success of Washingtonville High School are the teachers who inspire their students each day.  Throughout the years, many teachers have come and gone, all leaving a major impact on the Washingtonville community.  This year, Washingtonville welcomed the newest addition to the English department, Ms. Giampaolo, with open arms.

ERIN WILSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Ms. Giampaolo was born and raised in Newburgh, NY.  Growing up, Giampaolo always enjoyed learning and going to school, so her choice in careers was no surprise.  As she explained, “It took me a while to settle on this career path, but I was always headed in this direction.”

Ms. Giampaolo, or Ms. G. as her students often call her, attended SUNY FIT and SUNY Orange, but ended up getting her BA in English and Masters in Teaching from SUNY New Paltz, where she graduated this past May.  Last spring, Ms. Giampaolo was actually a student teacher here at Washingtonville working with Mrs. Connors, one of Washingtonville’s most revered English teachers. 

WHS was not the first official teaching job for Ms. Giampaolo; before coming to teach at Washingtonville, she taught 8th and 12th graders in Chester’s school district.  “I was there as a leave replacement teaching English.  I started in September at Chester and then transitioned to Washingtonville in December,” informed the new English teacher.  Not unlike most schools, Chester does not follow a block schedule, which made Ms. Giampaolo “very nervous about switching from 40 minute periods to teaching 84 minute blocks.  However, I’ve found that I enjoy the block scheduling much better.”

Changing jobs and shifting one’s daily life is a difficult challenge for anyone.  However, the love and support that she has received since returning to Washingtonville has made the transition a whole lot easier.  This is evidenced by the number of students that stop by to visit her just to say hello every day.  

Ms. Giampaolo has made a significant impact on her students, even with the short amount of time she has been teaching here.  Danielle Poganik, senior at Washingtonville High School, described Ms. Giampaolo as “a very compassionate and dedicated teacher. She has taught me skills that I never thought I would learn in English.”

A poem hanging in Mrs. G.'s room

A fun fact about Ms. G. is that she is a huge sports fanatic.   She was pleased to discover that some of her students are on the high school’s basketball team.  Due to this, Ms. Giampaolo explained, “I’m hoping to go to a game or two, and finding opportunities to see what Washingtonville is all about.”

Ms. Giampaolo is very excited to be teaching in Washingtonville and her ultimate goal is to “secure a full-time position here next year.”  In addition to working on that ambition, Ms. Giampaolo proclaimed, “I look forward to immersing myself in the Washingtonville community and all it has to offer.”

Washingtonville has nothing but high hopes that Ms. Giampaolo will succeed as a member of the community.  We welcome her and look forward to getting to know her even more in the years to come!