Student/Teacher
TESTIMONIALS
Question:
In the future when Ms. Rivera is looking for a dance teaching job, what would you want the principal or vice-principal to know about her as a teacher? What sets her apart from other teachers?
Testimonial of TCHS students
12th Grade
She's a very kind and helpful teacher and she won't give you a hard time when you mess up or when you get lost and don't know what to do. She tries her best to make students feel comfortable and motivated. She also makes class fun and filled with creativity
11th Grade
I would want the principal or vice-principal to know that she loves her students! She is willing to do anything to mold her students into better dancers and people as a whole.
10th Grade
I would want the principal and the vice- principal to know to Ms. Rivera is a very kind , open minded, and energetic individual. I would want them to know she's a great teacher and she does what she can and even will spread positivity and encouraging words to others and the most important SHE DOES HER JOB!
Testimonial of Teachers/Mentors
Kim Elliott
Rutgers University Full-Time Professor
[Sara] continues to understand what you are teaching and how to share, teach and provide a safe, fun learning environment for the students within the current situation of virtual teaching and learning. [She is] very strong in shifting lessons on the spot and understanding that flexibility is key in teaching. The students are actively engaged and not only want to learn what [Sara] know[s] but want to eagerly impress [Sara] in understanding what [she is] teaching them. No matter the situation, [she] continue[s] to assess students throughout, providing them with feedback and challenging them to think outside the box.
Elizabeth Zwiersynzki
TCHS Dance Teacher, Cooperating Teacher, 2020
Ms. Sara Rivera is an exemplary educator who expressed care for her students as the utmost importance in her classroom. Ms. Rivera's planning and instruction demonstrate an intentional alignment to social-emotional competencies and critical thinking within a standards-rich dance classroom. Throughout Ms. Rivera's internship, she honed her practice of skillful instructional transitions between the physical embodiment of movement, content knowledge delivery, student choice-making, and reflection. I have witnessed first-hand the joy and love for dancing that she has brought my students. Ms. Rivera would be an asset to any school community due to active engagement with students and willingness to support school-wide projects and professional development efforts.
Kimberly Spolitino
Studio Director of Stewart Johnson Dance Academy
Sara began teaching and choreographing at my studio this fall. She happily took on 3 age groups and won the hearts of each and every student. Her knowledge, patience, and kindness was welcomed by all! Not only is Sara a wonderful teacher, but she is blessed to have a knack for choreography! I have been teaching dance for 35 years and am honored to have Sara on my staff!