NEW: Hope High Teacher Named Providence Teacher of the Year
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
At Hope High School this morning, science teacher Lisa Rose Bucci had some unexpected visitors to her classroom. Mayor Angel Taveras and Superintendent Susan Lusi stopped into Bucci’s Period 3 physics class to inform her that she’d been named the Providence Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Bucci, a city resident and eighth-year teacher, was congratulated by other district and school officials, including School Board President Keith Oliveira and Principal Scott Sutherland, and was roundly cheered by colleagues and students in attendance. Jim and Kathy Bucci were also there to celebrate their daughter’s achievement.
“Our teaching professionals are one of the greatest assets this city boasts,” said Mayor Taveras. “They are charged every day with the most important work of creating our city’s future citizens and workforce, and this is an opportunity to recognize the best of the best in their profession.”
This year, Providence Schools has restored the practice of selecting a Teacher of the Year for the district after a nearly 10-year hiatus. Bucci, who also coaches cross country runners at the school and spends her summers teaching for Upward Bound, will go on to represent the district in the statewide selection of Teacher of the Year, with the winner at that level representing Rhode Island in the national completion.
“Ms. Bucci’s credentials for this award were exceptional,” said Lusi. “In a field of highly qualified finalists, she distinguished herself through her dedication to her craft and her students, and she will make an exemplary representative for this district as the statewide panel considers candidates for Rhode Island’s Teacher of the Year.”
Beginning in January, Providence school department staff, students, parents and community members were invited to submit names of nominees possessing key characteristics, including knowledge of the teacher’s content area; mastery at instructional delivery; demonstrated ability to inspire students from all backgrounds with multiple learning abilities; a track record of respect among students, parents, peers and colleagues; commitment to be active in the community; knowledge of state and national educational issues; and recognition as a model representative of their teaching colleagues in the Providence Public Schools.
A dozen highly qualified nominees were then asked to provide the selection committee with their résumés and professional credentials, letters of recommendation, and their answers to a series of open-ended essay questions, giving the selection committee a feel for the individual style and philosophy of each candidate.
Bucci’s letters of recommendation included not only accolades from teaching colleagues and administrators describing her sometimes-unconventional methods for engaging students and conveying that “Physics is Life!,”, but also numerous letters from current and past students, enumerating the many ways in which Bucci has influenced their lives and academic choices in her relatively short career.
From coaching the Science Olympiad team, to chairing the Winter Ball, to volunteering her time in the football team’s concession stand, Bucci dedicates time far beyond her classroom hours to her students. This commitment extends back to her time as a student at Rhode Island College, where in 2003 Bucci founded two programs – Project Catalyst, which provides science outreach to Providence elementary students; and the Miss Physical Science Pageant, a program dedicated to celebrating women in science. She continued to assist with both programs for years past her own graduation.
“Outstanding teachers go above and beyond every day without looking for praise and honor,” said Chief Academic Officer Paula R. Shannon. “But it is incumbent upon us as administrators and colleagues to single out and recognize the very worthy work of individuals like Lisa Bucci. She, and many of our other finalists for this award, are the personification of the commitment and drive that makes a great educator.”
Bucci holds a B.A. in Physics and a B.A. in Chemistry from Rhode Island College, along with a degree in Secondary Education that certifies her to teach physics, chemistry and general science.
