SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

The Importance of Taking a “PAWS” for Our Students

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, January/February 2025 Issue

By Kelly Rossetti and Amber Venoutsos

Some of the most remarkable experiences of being an educator include watching students grow as individuals, helping them open their eyes to new ideas, and witnessing their excitement around learning. But as elementary teachers at Hazardville Memorial School in Enfield, CT, we are also all too familiar with the difficult, sometimes heartbreaking moments experienced by our students, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The many pressures of academic demands and school expectations can be an overwhelming experience for many students, not to mention the struggles they may be dealing with outside of the classroom. Often, the first indicator that something is off is a decline in academic performance. With disinterest in schoolwork and aggressive behavior on the rise at our school, we decided to get creative and take action.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Kelly Rossetti has been a second-grade teacher at Hazardville Memorial School in Enfield, CT, for 11 years and was selected as a Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educator, Class of 2024.

Avatar photo

Amber Venoutsos has taught first and second grade in Enfield, CT, for 17 years and was recognized as Enfield’s Teacher of the Year and Semi-Finalist for Connecticut State Teacher of the Year in 2023.

Education News

New Immersive Platform Offers Glimpses Into the Daily Lives of Kids With ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia

The free digital tool by Understood.org uses simulations, videos, and expert resources to start conversations and challenge assumptions about learning and thinking differences.

School Safety Plans: 4 Ways Districts Can Prepare for Everyday Medical Emergencies

While most people think of lockdowns when they hear “school safety,” it’s also critical to plan for situations like seizures or cardiac arrest.

Building a Listening Culture: A Conversation with Christine Miles

In our discussion with educator, author, and keynote speaker Christine Miles, we explore the often-invisible crisis of listening in education.

Four Education Innovators Honored with 2025 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

This year’s class of McGraw Prize winners combines highly innovative approaches to learning with results that transform lives.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Advertisement

Read More

Let Me Tell You a Funny Story… Teaching ESL with Laughs, Not Lectures

In my current role as an ESL teacher, I’ve found that nothing draws students in, holds their attention, and helps them remember quite like a story.

4 Simple Strategies to Make Wellness Culture Part of Your School

For students to thrive and schools to achieve their desired outcomes, educator wellness is crucial to the overall health of school communities. Here are some fast, simple, and practical ways that schools can help teachers reduce stress and burnout.

New Immersive Platform Offers Glimpses Into the Daily Lives of Kids With ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia

The free digital tool by Understood.org uses simulations, videos, and expert resources to start conversations and challenge assumptions about learning and thinking differences.

School Safety Plans: 4 Ways Districts Can Prepare for Everyday Medical Emergencies

While most people think of lockdowns when they hear “school safety,” it’s also critical to plan for situations like seizures or cardiac arrest.

Beyond Fame, Fortune, and Followers: Inspiring Students to Redefine Success

I’ve started to notice a troubling trend among my students: many of them equate success with fame, followers, or a fat bank account.

Building a Listening Culture: A Conversation with Christine Miles

In our discussion with educator, author, and keynote speaker Christine Miles, we explore the often-invisible crisis of listening in education.