What inspired you to become a teacher?
DeStefano had an amazing theology teacher in high school, and that really inspired her. She was very surprised at how and what teaching could be like, so she decided to pursue it.When she was in college she fell in love with teaching about faith.
How would you say Neumann is treating you so far?
DeStefano says how very much she enjoys getting to know all of her students and the staff. She has had an amazing welcoming from both the staff, and has loved to get to know how we are run as a school family. She expresses how freeing it is to be in a school that allows her to grow in her own faith, but also being able to share and teach faith with young minds. She is very blessed to have the opportunity to attend weekly mass and profess her faith along with the school.
What are some difficulties and highlights of teaching, in your opinion?
DeStefano says that some difficulties are when the class is a little bit too distracted, the lesson goes to the boring end, or when students lose interest in general. She overcomes this by making it more interactive or by pushing her students to ask more questions about their faith, and being more involved in the lessons. Being more active in their faith helps students grow more, become closer to God, and be more openly confident about their faith.
What are some things you enjoy, or find different, about SJN?
Mrs. DeStefano really enjoys the House Program and how united we all are as a school. She enjoys the friendly competition between teachers and students themselves: “You’re all together in the same place doing fun and different things. I think it’s one of the best parts about the school is the Houses System and all the things that it involves.” All the planning for games, the points, the polos – she finds the whole program very fun. DeStefano shares that it’s, “A good way to keep everyone together and make new friends.” She also appreciates the Salesian Sisters and their impact on the school itself keeping everyone safe and the school in a good balance. DeStefano says, “I think they bring a lot of joy and life into the school.” She expresses her love for her faith and how freeing it is to be able to communicate it.
We are so blessed to have Mrs. DeStefano join our SJN community and we appreciate her taking the time to have an interview.
