It didn’t matter whom Johnston High School teacher Joe Acciardo talked to, they were – simply stated – overwhelmed with what the unique and historic ceremony the Panthers’ veteran head coach coordinated for last Friday night’s final home football game.
The night had a simple title: Teacher Appreciation Night and with the ever-popular Gary Salzillo handling the public address system at JHS’ brand new Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium, the football Panthers honored 14 teachers who then wrote and told Acciardo who has made an impact on them during their days at JHS.
“My boys have lots of passion and great big hearts,” Acciardo said after the Panthers overwhelmed Warwick Vets, 64-6, in the season finale. “But society says they should keep it in and not express their feelings. I want to change that. I want you (teachers) to know that when I mentioned this to the boys your names came up instantly and without hesitation.”
Thus, as Acciardo related to those 14 JHS teachers: “I want you to know this and enjoy this; congrats to you for a job well done.”
And without blinking an eye, all 14 teachers agreed to participate in last Friday night’s ceremony – which Acciardo plans to make an annual affair – and take a walk onto the turf escorted by some 11 Panther seniors.
What follows here is, in part, the teacher’s reaction to remarks by their students:
“There isn’t anything better, to be honored as a teacher, a job that I enjoy each and every day. In addition, having the football players reflect on their years at high school is a great way to come full circle as seniors and to get more from their high school experiences. It was a wonderful start to a new JHS tradition.”
Maria Simeone, Math Teacher
“I was beyond honored to be asked by a senior, Lamel Stokes, to escort him onto the field for his last home football game. This night reminded me just how much I love being a teacher. I felt appreciated and blessed. I hope the JHS team makes this a tradition. Thank you, Coach Acciardo, and the team for organizing such a wonderful night.”
Tara Telois, Reading Specialist
“I was touched and honored to be asked by a player to escort him onto the field … I have watched for many years the incredible bond that these boys form over the years, not only with their teammates, but Coach Acciardo. Sports are so important I feel for many students as it teaches discipline, persistence and a genuine concern for others, ‘team players’ – if you will. People won’t always remember what you say, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.”
Lianne Denham, English Teacher
“I hope you are sharing your story behind the idea of the night. The lessons you teach these young men, on and off the field, are the ones that will last a lifetime. I was beyond honored to be chosen for Teacher Appreciation Night. We are in the classroom with these students day after day, but it’s the personal connections and life lessons that they are really walking away with. While our days may become routine, thank you for reminding me why I decided to teach.”
Tia Forgetta, Math Teacher
“I think the football team came up with a wonderful and unique way to bring teachers and students together, as teachers don’t always realize the impact they may have on students, students aren’t aware of the impact they have on our lives.”
Jean Picano, Math Department Chair
“Allowing the players to honor teachers that they sincerely respect and admire was truly special. These are the lessons that they will always remember and it is a reminder to all that it is never too late to give thanks to those who have influenced our lives in a positive way. Thank you to Coach Acciardo; this was truly a learning experience for everyone in our community.”
Vanessa Faiola, Spanish Teacher
“As a guidance counselor, I am able to develop strong bonds with students over the years. In my heart, they are truly ‘my kids’ and when Matt (Fontes) asked me to walk him onto the football field for his last game, to say I was honored would be putting it lightly. To me, that moment was worth a lifetime of paychecks. It validates my decision to enter the field of education in the first place. It is very difficult for people to express their feelings of gratitude, especially for a teenage boy. Joe Acciardo is amazing with these kids. With his guidance, these young men learn more than the game of football … he is monumental in building a piece of their character.”
Daniele Mallari, Guidance Counselor
Players express gratitude towards teachers
To say that Johnston High football coach Joe Acciardo learned his lessons well during his younger years on Cherry Hill would indeed be an understatement.
Moreover, Acciardo’s lessons about life as a student-athlete have resulted in what will undoubtedly become one of the most terrific traditions in the Panthers already storied and tradition rich sports history.
In short, Acciardo’s experiences with former JHS teacher Richard Picano – who the Panthers’ coach said “taught me about football, the war and life” – resulted in last Friday night’s emotion-pitched and first-ever Teacher Appreciation Night at the Panthers’ Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium.
“As a program, we are always looking for a unique way for a team to leave a lasting impression on those who have been there with them,” Acciardo began. “And for those who are still to come through the program. We are always trying to teach lessons that will convert into life lessons … just like Mr. Picano did for me.”
Yet another reason that led to last Friday night’s Teacher Appreciation Night was the pure fact that Acciardo – after becoming a seasoned educator – looked at a newspaper and saw his teacher’s picture in the obituary column and he’s since been angry he didn’t say thank you “to that great man while he was living.”
So, Acciardo wanted his senior players to write a “Senior Speech” and address their teammates about what it has meant to them to be part of the football program here at JHS.
“It is an emotional day for the boys,” Acciardo related. “They have always expressed themselves well to the team and I wanted to share their thoughts with the teachers who the players felt have made an impact on their young lives.”
What follows here, in part, is what some of the Panthers wrote before inviting their respective teachers to take part in JHS’ first-ever and historic Teacher Appreciation Night.
“I don’t think there’s enough I could say about Mrs. Jean Picano,” wrote Joe Turchetta. “There’s obvious reasons why I picked you; you’re more than just an excellent teacher and instructor. You’re an amazing lady all around. You literally never fail to make me laugh. I never thought I’d be able to say I actually enjoy going to Calculus class, but you made that possible. You are always willing to help me ….You are without a doubt my favorite teacher.”
Turchetta also noted that Vanessa Faiola, a JHS Spanish teacher, helped him succeed in a class he really didn’t want to take.
“You were not only a great teacher,” Turchetta wrote, “but a great lady in general. I truly appreciate you and everything that you’ve done for me and I am grateful to have you walk onto the football field with me for my last high school game ever.”
When Ryan Peterson came to JHS as a freshman, everything about high school was – he related – “a mystery.”
“You were the first person I saw,” he wrote about teacher Mary Vingi. “You made high school seem like it was nothing. Now, I’m almost done with this chapter (of my life) and you’re still right next to me walking me through everything. No amount of words can describe how grateful I am that you’re my guidance counselor. High school wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
Ray Saleh wrote “I’d like to thank you (Tia Forgetta) for hands down being my favorite teacher I’ve ever had. You’re one of the few teachers that enjoyed my humor and can go along with it. Not only do you understand my humor, but you’re one of the few teachers that can make me laugh. You already know the plan so when I broadcast for the first time on ESPN, I’ll remember who believed in me from the start.”
For Tyler Nasisi, math teacher Maria Simeone was the first person that came to his mind when Acciardo announced the Panthers were going to have a Teacher Appreciation Night.
“I always felt you were a big help to me when it came to learning,” Nasisi wrote. “Even when I didn’t have you as a teacher, you always used your techniques to help me with other classes. You were more than just a great instructor; you are also a great person. I wouldn’t want to walk out on the field with any other teacher than you.”
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