Katherine Villone
Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
School: Franklin Elementary School
School District: Bergenfield Public School District
City, State: Bergenfield, NJ
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Music that Describes Katherine
Katherine Villone was nominated by an anonymous parent of a student.
Ms. Villone has always been seen as an outstanding teacher and role model by many. She has been a teacher for over 20 years. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and energy make her not only a great teacher, but an authentic human being.
As we all know, we are living through a major world pandemic which has been hard on everyone, especially children. Ms. Villone has gone above and beyond during this pandemic. In the beginning of all of this chaos, she decorated the school fences with inspiring messages such as "we miss you" and "we love you." This would make the students and parents happy as they passed by, and it would make them feel as if they are loved in a world filled with chaos at the moment. It was inspirational!
In addition, Ms. Villone sent "I miss you" postcards to all of her current students and included all of former students as well. This simple gesture made the kids feel like they have not been forgotten in such an awful time.
Unfortunately, Ms. Villone had a few students who lost loved ones. They were very sad and didn't know how to cope. Ms. Villone went out of her way to hold virtual game nights and Zoom calls with these students to talk to them and try and make them feel better.
These are just a few ways Ms. Villone has demonstrated how much she cares for both current and former students. She is a great influence to kids who need a bit of nurturing in their life.
"I strongly believe that she changes the lives of each student who has had her for the better," said her nominator. "Any child who has had Ms. Villone will always feel loved and cared for."
Dear Ms. Villone,
Congratulations on an award well deserved , I know you for more than 10 years, you still the same person I saw for the first time and let me tell you, you are one of the nicest people I ever met, You are sweet and beautiful inside and out. Nice people like you, deserve nice things. congrats again
Truly Ms. Villone deserves to win this award. She is such a special person that reside in the heart of my children and myself . My daughter is a past student of Ms Villone, in July we where faced with a situation that left us homeless. Incredibly she reached out to me and left no page unturned.
From access to all school resources for the children to emotional and physical support for myself . She is such a different being..I am thankful to be blessed with her in my life and the lives of my children.
I have a daughter senior at high school. Ms. Katherin Villone is her 3th grader teacher. We are living in Rockland Country NY since 2014. Ms. Villone always care my daughter and send to my daughter warm massage and cheer up. Ms. Villone is my daughter’s favorite teacher. She is best teacher I never seen before.
Thank you Ms. Villone ??????
I can't think of a more worthy receiptient of this and so many other honors. Anyone who knows Katherine Villone knows she is a life changer - having changed so many lifes already from feeding the hungry, to helping to raise awareness of water shortages in rural parts of the African continent, to helping to elevate and empower our children here at home to be the great changemakers they are. Katherine Villone is the most incredible, kind, caring, and selfless person I have ever known. @Coalitionsafe, @musicts4peace #CharliesChangeInitiative, we are rooting for you!
Covid-19 has brought so much illness and so many sad deaths to Bergenfield, and Ms. Katherine Villone has done everything humanly possible to support her students and parents and to help the entire community. The 150 comments of support written here by people who respect and love Ms. Villone say so much about this lifechanger who truly deserves to win the Spotlight Award. An award winning educator who has been recognized many times for her professional excellence and her contributions to education, she stands out because she consistently does so many acts of service to others but never tries to splash it around for everyone to know how great she is. Her incredible efforts during the pandemic started in March and continue to this day. Of course she has Zoomed with her classes and individual students to stay connected ( she has a degree in school counciling) and developed amazing, creative online lessons, but she has also delivered food and meals to needy families, called first responders to encourage, delivered treats to town workers, decorated the schools fences twice with inspiring messages showing her school pride, personally delivered gift baskets and prizes to her students TWICE, has online game nights, visited students who had trouble with getting set on their computers, helps people who lost their jobs, sent cards to all her hundreds of students from when she started teaching, delivered birthday balloons and led birthday parades, texts and calls parents to see how they are, delivers lunches to kids for prizes, taught the kids how to do yoga, collected clothing for people and lots, lots more. Ms. Villone is respected by everyone and is a positive role model for the kids and actually everyone. She does it all without asking for the spotlight, but she is the one who truly deserves to win the 2020 Spotlight Award.
I am beyond lucky to call Ms. Villone my mom. She is the most selfless and compassionate person I know. During quarantine I was able to witness firsthand her interactions with her students and how dedicated she is to helping them learn and grow. My mom goes above and beyond as a teacher. She held private zooms to check-in on students, some who weren't even currently hers! We dropped off goody bags and school supplies to her students so they had everything they needed and to make them smile during this difficult time. Every night my mom falls asleep with her laptop open, researching different lessons or putting together engaging assignments. My mom thinks of her students and what more she can do for them from the moment she wakes up until the moment she falls asleep. Everyone who has had her as a teacher or has had her in their life know that she is special. I love my mom so much and it fills me with such pride and gratitude that she is being recognized for all that she does.
I have no reservations to support Ms.Katherine Villone. With great pleasure, I support Ms.Katherine Villone for the Award. Her contributions to the Bergenfield community and beyond are commendable. During the pandemic, it is so wonderful that her support and care reached her former and her current students and their families. The community is so much thankful for her compassion and care and love. Empathy is the great human quality and here she is, as a model and inspiration to her students, the community, and whoever in touch with her! I strongly recommend Ms.Catherine Villone for this Spotlight Award because she deserves this, and our country needs this kind of a person to be rewarded for what they do to cherish love and care for each other as human beings. If you have any questions, please call me or email me. Thank you God Bless America
Ms. Katherine Villone is a great teacher and motivator. I am the president of a charitable organization focused on improving the sanitary conditions of schools in the poor parts of Kerala state, India. We give special priority to girls who have a greater need in this regard. One of our office bearers' child was in Ms. Villone's class and she mentioned this project to her. Ms. Villone took the leadership in leading her students in collecting empty recyclable bottles during the leisure time of the Students. The kids collected, cleaned, sorted, and took the bottles to the claim center under her direct supervision and handed over to us around $400.00 to help us and help the poor girls in India. She not only demonstrated her willingness to help with a noble cause, but was able to instill in her students a sense of purpose, value, and creative use of their leisure time for helping with a charitable cause. I had the opportunity to know her closely through this project and I am impressed so much with her professionalism, care, compassion and passion for service. I strongly recommend her for this award.
I have had the blessing to have Mrs Villone teach my daughter and now my grandchildren. She is a fantastic teacher. We lost my husband in this pandemic and my 10 year old has now the blessing to have her. Mrs Villone is companionate, kind and makes sure her students are engaged. My 10 year old is so excited to be in her class and having her at this sad time is the best thing that can happen to her. Mrs Villone deserves to win she truly has a calling and is very special.
Mrs. Villone has been such an amazing support system for my daughter, Leila! She had been struggling with reading and writing for years, but it wasn't until she was with Mrs. Villone that she really saw a problem and pushed for help for her. She helped me to get the support that Leila needed from the school. In her 4th grade year, it was like Leila was finally able to open up and show her real self in the classroom. Mrs. Villone made her feel comfortable in all situations. She helped her to see her true strengths and to be so proud of them. When the pandemic began, Mrs. Villone made sure to reach out to all of her students, parents, and families frequently just to check-in and be sure that everyone was doing ok. She even made many home visits to deliver little goodies to let everyone know how much they are missed. Leila actually told me that even though she wouldn't want to be held back a grade in school, she kind of wished she was just so that she could spend another year with Mrs. Villone. She continues to check in with Leila and all her students from last year even now that she has a whole new class. I know that she does so much more "good" in her personal life as well and it truly amazes me how big her heart is!
Kathy is not only a colleague, she is also a dear friend. I have witnessed her selfless acts, her unending commitment and devotion to her students and her deep desire to help others first hand. Everything that she does, and the amount of what she does is endless, everything is done from her heart. She is probably the most caring teacher I have ever known. Once you are a student of MS. Villone’s, you are her student for life. She continuously goes way, way above and beyond for the people she cares about. She will drop everything to be there if she is needed. This is something I’ve personally experienced. She doesn’t walk out of her classroom at 3:00 and not think about her students until 8:00 the next morning. Ms.Villone is ALWAYS thinking of, doing and providing for her students in every and any way they need her. Kathy Villone is one of a kind. She inspires everyone around her to do more, be better, more kind, more compassionate, give more. The most remarkable thing is that I don’t think she knows how amazing she is. She has never done anything in search of praise. It’s just how she’s made. Her heart was created to touch the lives of others in the most positive way possible. Kathy Villone is a life changer.
There just aren’t enough words to articulate how much this spectacular and humble human means to me and the community of Bergenfield.
Her heart goes into everything she does. From the moment she wakes, it’s all about everyone else. From her children to coworkers like myself. She takes you on the “magical” ride, and helps you bring out your full potential. She sees things in you that many do not. She lifts you up when you are down and gives you the courage to keep moving forward in your professional and personal life.
You feed off of her good energy and karma the moment you are in her presence. She makes everyone around her better and wiser for knowing her.
Kathy Villone is just one of those individuals that I am so beyond blessed to know and cross paths with. There will never be enough thank yous that I can give to her.
She will forever hold such a positive impact on my life and I am so thankful to call her a friend and colleague??
Best teacher ever, first to my daughter Gabriela and last year to my son Oliver, she goes above and beyond and really enjoy teaching.
Thank you for teaching my kids.
Ms. Villone is a wonderful teacher and very kind and sweet person. She made my daughter feel so loved in her birthday during the pandemic. She dropped balloons and small treat on our door and my daughter was so happy. That was an amazing act of thoughtfulness. We adore her and grateful for doing all the great things for her students. She truly deserves to be recognize as a life changer of the year.
Ms Villone is for sure a life changer! There is no doubt in my mind that she 100% deserves this nominaiton and more! She BELIEVED in my son when most didnt and for that we will always be GREATFUL!!!!
Ms. Villone is the most favorite teacher of both my sons (7 yrs apart) during Elementary years. I myself have witbessed how she brings out the confidence of her students. She not only nurtures them but also motivates and inspire them to be the best student they can be. She has been very supportive and available to her students and parents especially during the pandemic where everyone of us is struggling to adjust with remote learning. She has been a great support. I thank Ms Villone and all the teachers for all that they do for the future generation.
Ms. Villone is one of the most kindest teachers I have met. She hd gone above and beyond for her kids and during a time of quarantine, had been the highlight of my child’s school year. My family is thankful for all the things she has done for the all the kids including my own and I truly sees her as a teacher who loves her students respectfully.
Ms. Villone is an amzaing person, an outstanding role model, and one of the most hardworking people I know. She has high morals that she reflects onto both current and former students. She is also an inspriational, upbeat person with an optimistic outlook on life. She inspires others and always sees the bright side in any difficult situation. With Ms. Villone there is always a creative solution. She was my former elementary school teacher and there was never a day where I did not feel welcomed and loved. She always makes sure her students are cared for, and feel at home in her classroom, for many, including myself, it is a safeplace. She does everything out of the kindness of her heart and deserves recognition for all her love and support she continues to give to others. Ms. Villone has been and always will be a life changer.
Ms. Kathy Villone has been known around Bergenfield for years as being a super teacher who would do anything to help anyone. ( She is also one of the funniest people you will ever meet.) Kids BEG to be in her class because everyone has heard how amazing she is and is a legend. During the covid pandemic, she has gone into overdrive doing all kinds of things to let the kids know she is their for there and there families and to make people smile.And there has been a lot to cry about The stuff she has done is just unbelievable. She has even done special things for the towns first aid squad and DPW workers. She is one of a kind and should definitely win this Spot-light award. Nobody does what she does.
Kathy Villone is a wonderful friend, teacher, colleague, and confidant. I have had the privilege of working with Kathy over the past four years. She is undeniably empathic and compassionate of her students, families, and colleagues. Kathy strives to provide a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for her students. Trust me, we are class "neighbors" (across the hall) and I always see the smiles on her student's faces when she walks into the room. The energy is lively and welcoming, just as Kathy! She goes above and beyond for her Franklin School family without being asked! I am confident that Kathy is the perfect candidate for the Life Changer Award!
I have known And worked with Ms. Villone for over ten years. She has always presented as a kind, involved teacher who has striven to do her best for the children. She also strives to get the best “out of her children. Ms. Villone is creative, knowledgeable about community resources and persistent in her endeavors to meet the needs of the community. She has earned a degree in counseling and has applied her skills to her work with children. It is my sense that she would be the perfect candidate for this honor.
To say Ms. Katherine Villone is a great teacher is an understatement. She is an amazing, caring, compassionate, understanding, self-less teacher to say the least. She always puts her students and their families before herself and wants the best for them. Ms. Villone goes above and beyond her contracted hours because the caring doesn’t start at 8am and ends at 3pm. She always makes her students feel comfortable and is genuinely interested in getting to know them. One example was from this passed school year. Ms. Villone would always do something nice for her student’s while they were in school, but of course once we went to virtual learning that had to change; you would think. Not for Ms. Villone. She made sure she dropped off balloons and treats at their homes, for her students on their birthdays. Each student was so excited to see their teacher and thankful she remembered their special day. There is nothing that Ms. Villone would not do to make sure her students are safe, have food, clothing and shelter. Her commitment to the student just doesn’t end in June when she sends her students to the next grade. Whether they are in Middle School, High School, College, or have jobs, she is always asking about them and wants them to be successful. Ms. Villone does not do anything to be recognized. She doesn’t do it for a pat on the back or for an award. She does it because she truly cares. Ms. Villone is not just a role model for her students, but for her family, friends and co-workers.
I highly nominate Ms. Katherine Villone for the LifeChanger of the Year Award, because that is exactly what she is…A LifeChanger.
Kathy Villone is certainly one of a kind. She’s goes over and beyond for her students, her colleagues and the less fortunate. She volunteers many hours to help those in need.
Kathy has been there for me as a friend and has been a supportive colleague whenever I’m in need. She is generous and empathetic and has changed many lives for the better. There are only a handful of people I can think of who deserve such an award and Kathy is definitely one of them.
Ms. Villone sets the bar pretty high for teachers. She is compassionate, caring, considerate and genuinely cares about her students. My son hasn't had her in two semesters and he still talks about her. She will always be her favorite teacher. She has counciled me, advised me and made me feel at ease every time I saw her. She certainly deserves the accolade of "Life Changer of the Year". I wish all my kids teachers were like her.
Ms Villone is a truly life changing teacher she has taught me so much and I am truly grateful for everything she has ever done, she is an incredible teacher and teaches in such an amazing and unique way it is truly an honor to be one of her students. She is one of a kind and a blessing to everyone who knows her. I miss you so much Ms. Villone. 4V forever. ??
"One of the things that we never discuss or we rarely discuss is the value and importance of human connection, relationships. Every child deserves a champion! an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insist they become the best they can possible be ~Rita Pierson~" I read through all the many beautiful comments here about our hero Ms Villone and another commenter S. B. used that quote to describe Kathy Villone and I think it is perfect. She is the one teacher who moves mountains to help a kid, be there for them, fight the system, drop everything no matter how busy she might be and during the pandemic she did even more---for the students, and for everybody.She has been a staunch advocate for minority kids her whole life and has lived like Black Lives Matter before the term was coined. She is the real deal and people know it. I hope the LifeChanger people take the time to read through all her comments because they are powerful and beautiful. She is the life changer.
Ms.Villone was my former 4th grade teacher and I can truly say having her as a teacher is and was a blessing. She has a smart, vibrant, loving, outgoing, thoughtful and dedicated personality that not all teachers can successfully obtain at once. She never fails to make you feel loved and worthy of an education. One of the many things I am so thankful towards her for is the support and push she gave my friends and I in fourth grade to start our own club. Because of her persistent support and help, we were able to create our own school club: Helping Hands. She was our guidance for that club and we couldn’t of accomplished raising money for victims of a typhoon, food/clothing drives, and spreading positivity around the school without her motivation. I truly believe Ms.Villone is more than worthy of this award because she is honestly the one teacher that still cares for me and I know will never hesitate to help me academically or personally despite it being years since she was my 4th grade teacher. She is one of a kind and continues to accomplish amazing things for herself and others!!
Kathy has been a true inspiritation. I have watched her over the years help numerous students and Families in different ways. She has done things from helping her students in ways that people normally wouldn't notice to helping the Georgie badiel Foundation to get clean water to certain areas of Africa. I can't even begin to describe the ways that she has helped me in respect to my teaching career. She is volunteered hours upon hours in providing insight and feedback for my own instructional strategies. Kathy has come and support my own kids in raising money for local charities and causes. I have not met many women who are like Kathy. She deserves the honor for all that she does and I am proud to call her not only my mentor but my friend.
The Covid-19 pandemic came to the town of Bergenfield like the grim reaper taking the lives of over 50 people with many, many hundreds more sick in a small town of mostly non-white and Latino people. Families were devastated by the loss of several people including one family in Ms. Villone's class who sadly lost three loved ones. It has been awful. Mr. Rogers used to comfort anxious kids upset by scary events by telling them to, “Look for the helpers.” Kathy Villone continues to be her students’ helper and a comforter-in-chief for the whole community. She found a way to continue to be a master teacher by teaching herself the best practices for distance learning. An award-winning teacher, her students continued to learn and grow and thrive. More than this, she did INCREDIBLE things to make and keep connections. She herself delivered gift baskets to each student’s home not once but TWICE during the shutdown with games, crafts, treats, toys and books. She sent hundreds of postcards to her old students with personal notes. She contacted first responders in town to check on them. She did virtual game nights and she did birthday drive-bys and delivered balloons. She did daily Zoom classes and meetings with her class and individual students. She had food delivered to the local food pantry and she bought meals for families who were hungry. She decorated the school’s fences with inspiring messages. She sent encouraging notes to every current student and she sent her former students entering their senior year time capsules of their work from fourth grade. She did wellness checks for her students each day. She called, texted and emailed parents every single day. She dropped clothes at a shelter and someone else here wrote that she even gave one of her students a computer because they couldn’t afford one.And two nights ago, before the first day of school, there she was again decorating the school fences with updated inspirational messages. Kathy Villone deserves to win the Spotlight Award for all the wonderful and selfless things she has done throughout Covid-19 and for always going far above and beyond. Like the rest of us, I am sure she must have been scared by the pandemic, but she overcame it in service to others. Just like she always does.
Hi my name is Ruth Vasquez and I just wanted to say a couple of things about Ms.Villone my former 4th grade teacher. She really does go above and beyond to make others around her happy and I am a witness to all her good deeds with my own personal experiences. I moved to New Jersey when I was about 8 years old and I come from a big family. I am 1 of 11 siblings and so you can imagine the move from New York to New Jersey, it was a lot. I arrived in the 3rd grade half way and super behind. It was extremely hard for me to change schools from catholic to public. Since in my catholic I wore uniform my parents couldn’t afford other clothing or shoes. I remember one time in my gym class I was wearing flats and my gym teacher said I needed to wear sneakers and I have never felt more embarrassed to tell him that I do not own any. My father is the only worker and our provider since my mom stayed home with the kids. Money was a very big issue in my home which was very obvious from all the clothes that I wore, ripped and ugly hand me downs. The next year I entered 4th grade dreading the year since half of my 3rd grade year kids made fun of me constantly for having such a big family and also for my looks. I was definitely different than most kids in my classroom. Also the work was extremely different and I knew 4th grade was going to be worse. I ended up being placed in Ms.Villones class and this woman, this amazing teacher, is the foundation of who I am today. From the beginning she saw my differences and she knew very well my situation at home but never did she once make me feel ashamed of my family. She became a teacher I can confide in, she saw how behind I was academically, and she provided for me all the help I can get. She also never gave up on me, she made teaching fun! I have never in my life been so excited to enter a classroom every morning. Ms.Villone is the reason I have chosen to study education and became an educator myself. She taught me that being a teacher isn’t only about having the kids remember things and reach certain goals it’s much more than that. The kids respond well when they feel loved and cared for and that’s definitely what I received from her. The love I received from Ms.Villone is beyond any words I can express her heart is extraordinary, one of a kind. The genorsiry as well, there had been multiples occasions when our class would do school trips or other fun activities but I would never be able to participate in mainly because money was such a big issue for us. Ms.Villone would take her personal money and pay for little things like that for me to go humbly, behind my back just so I can go and enjoy myself. You don’t find that often, a teacher with a kind enough heart to do little things like that. Till this day she will always be my favorite teacher and I consider her a close friend of mine. Recently she helped me during this covid-19 pandemic. I was unfortunately unemployed as many were, and she helped me with this new job that I was doing even thought she really didn’t have too she found time for me I bet in her busy schedule as in that time she was doing online classes with her students, to hear my presentation and help me out in that way. I was in Ms.Villones 4th grade class about 10 years ago and she still is in my life and continues to help me. If this isn’t the definition of a great teacher then I don’t know what is! She deserves this award and more! If I could, I would give her a million awards!
I truly believe that Ms.Villone deserves this recognition for all the impact she has had. Ms. Villone has shaped my future in many tremendous aspects that I will carry forever. She guided me toward a new step in life and gave me a glimpse of the work world.
I have worked with Kathy Villone at Franklin Elementary School for 6 years now. I am always amazed at her energy, innovation and enthusiasm at work and I am not surprised that she continued this during the covid-19 pandemic. I could not think of a more deserving person to receive the Life Changer of the Year Award. I have no doubt she has changed the lives of many of her students throughout her 20 years of teaching.
I have known Ms. Villone for a very long time. Both of my girls had the privilege to be in her class. Ms. Villone is a dedicated, loving and a caring person. She goes above and beyond with her work. Ms. Villone always reaches out to her former students to see how they are doing. she has that un defining care towards her kids. I definitely believe she deserves to win this award!!
We want Ms. Villone to be named as life changer of the year! During quarantine, we received post cards with words of encouragement. This kind gesture gave us the strength to feel that there will be better days ahead. The best was when we received a time capsule of some of our work when Ms. Villone was our teacher back in 4th grade. That really put a smile on our faces. We have been so fortunate to have her as a teacher and she is one of those teachers we will never forget.
I have known Kathy since high school, back then she was a caring and loving person with a beautiful heart. She thought my Daughter Alexandra . Her didication on helping her improve and challenge her to obtain Honor rolls. During this pandemic she has reach out , call and zoom meeting with many of her Students. The caring person and beautiful heart that she have always had just flourish through out this pandemic. "She is simply the best ". I nominated Kathy for her passion!!!
I have known Kathy since high school, back then she was a caring and loving person with a beautiful heart. She thought my Daughter Alexandra . Her didication on helping her improve and challenge her to obtain Honor rolls. During this pandemic she has reach out , call and zoom meeting with many of her Students. The caring person and beautiful heart that she have always had just flourish through out this pandemic. "She is simply the best ". I nominated Kathy for her passion!!!
Kathy is perhaps the most committed, selfless and talented educator that I have encountered in recent years. She embraces her students with genuine interest and concern. She is the epitome of what a teacher should be. A true exemplar.
I have had the pleasure of working w Kathy for the last 12 years. During this time I have been able to watch her gift in action that has influenced so many people including me. Kathy is the ultimate giver, ALWAYS putting others first and expecting nothing in return. Her compassion, empathy, and recognizing the needs of others is a special gift very few possess. I know one of her favorite stories is the starfish story In which a little boy is trying to save thousands of starfish who have washed ashore. When questioned how he thinks he can save all of them the boy reminds the man that it takes one life at a time. Kathy has saved so many starfish over her career and will continue to keep encouraging them and influencing them in ways only she has been gifted to do.
You can't say enough great things about Me. Villone. She was my daughter's 4th grade teacher and has been her favorite teacher ever since.
This past year my daughter was in 8th grade and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Ms. Villone went out of her way to be there and support her past students. She also had a card signed for each child from Franklin School inducted and had all the teachers sign and made sure those students received the card.
During the pandemic we kept in touch and she sent my daughter in the mail a hand written heartfelt postcard which really cheered my daughter up and it meant the world to her.
Also, my daughter won the 8th grade NVE Scholarship and Ms. Villone went above and beyond to acknowledge this.
I am really glad my daughter had Ms Villone as her teacher as she is so heartfelt and caring for the children. She is a wonderful role model.
I can’t think of a person more deserving of this spotlight award! Katherine inspires so many to be the very best versions of themselves; from parents, students, and fellow teachers. She reaches far beyond her own classroom and school building walls to inspire others in the community both local and global.
She is a rare breed of human!!! She is a true leader in every sense of the word. She sets examples so others can shine!!!
Life Changer of the Year organization- she does exactly what you do! She makes sure to pave the way for others to be the shining stars the world needs them to be, just like this award initiative!!! Shine spotlights on those who help make the world a better place because they help others know how to be change makers!
Being my child in a new school. He was very lucky to have Ms. Villone as a teacher. She was very helpful, present every day to greet students in the mornings. She helps students and parents. She is caring, fun and always encouraging her students. She always has something to give, always available no matter the time to help. I think She deserves to be recognized for what she is, a great teacher an a example to follow.
I've known Kathy most of my life as she was my best friend's sister when I was in elementary school and now I've had the honor and privilege of working with her for the last 17 + years at Franklin School. Kathy's needs always come last. She doesn't even have needs..LOL.. Everyone else takes priority over herself. Her needs come across as the need to help everyone and make sure that everyone feels good about themselves and has life's basic needs such as: love, safety, and belongingness. She makes herself available for her students and colleagues whenever and for whatever they need. She encourages her students to be the best "them" they can be. She praises them and teaches them how to be kind and caring individuals. She leads by example and never gives up on her students. She believes in them and makes sure they believe in themselves too. She works tirelessly to make her past and present students...and even other children whom she hadn't directly taught, feel like they matter and are important human beings. (Her colleagues too!) She is a great example of what a teacher should be.
I’ve known Ms Villine for just a short while and as a dad of a teacher for special needs, I put her right along side of my daughter. I see Ms Villone as a happy, caring, and dedicated person who has shown me she’s dedicated to her work and especially her students. I’m proud to call her my friend and you should be proud to call her your child’s teacher.
Ms.Villone was a person who was always happy and a joy to be around. I remember all my friends telling me that she was such a great, fun, and loving teacher to be around. I would always think to myself “I wonder if she really was this great, loving, kind person that everyone keeps on telling me about” and I would have never had this answered until I met her. So the first time I met her it was after school and I was waiting for one of my friends outside of her classroom. While I was standing outside Ms.Villone kindly invited me inside her classroom and introduced herself to me. She was just so generous and what really made me feel better was that she was so friendly to a person that she had never even met before and it really made me feel great as a person. Every day after that I would always try to pop into her classroom to greet her to see how she was doing. I even saw her about a year ago and my friends and I were walking past the school and she saw us and greeted us like time never past and gave us hugs and was very happy to see us. This actually made my day because even though it was something small, the smallest actions always make the biggest impacts, and things like saying hi, or a simple compliment, can change a person's mood, day, or even life. Ms.Villone also used to ALWAYS promote for everyone to be kind to each other and love each other. I remember she used to run the Helping Hands Club, a club in which students would do projects that would help and support different charities. She would always pour her heart and soul into this club and always made sure that everything we did, we did it with purpose, passion, heart, and love. The reason why I think Ms.Villone should win this award is that I feel that out of the MANY people she knows and has helped, she has always made you feel wonderous even you are having the worst of days she is always available to talk to you, and always encouraged others to love each other. That is why I think Ms. Villone should win this award.
Thank You!
I've had the pleasure of being Kathy's coworker for the last several years, but in the last couple of years, I've gotten to know her better. We have morning "therapy" sessions (one of us usually needs it more than the other most days) and we welcome the students to the school together. Her energy each morning is unmatched. She has nicknames for many kids and they are truly excited to come to school each morning. She knows what each child is interested in, who had a game/event when, and is often in the crowd cheering them on. Even though we have all been apart, she has made sure to check in on everyone during the closure, students and staff alike. She knows how important the emotional aspect of learning is for everyone. She makes you feel and know that you matter. She is always so busy making sure others know that they matter, but it's just as critical for her to know the same. Kathy Villone, you matter!
Ms.Villone was a person who was always happy and a joy to be around. I remember all my friends telling me that she was such a great, fun, and loving teacher to be around. I would always think to myself “I wonder if she really was this great, loving, kind person that everyone keeps on telling me about” and I would have never had this answered until I met her. So the first time I met her it was after school and I was waiting for one of my friends outside of her classroom. While I was standing outside Ms.Villone kindly invited me inside her classroom and introduced herself to me. She was just so generous and what really made me feel better was that she was so friendly to a person that she had never even met before and it really made me feel great as a person. Every day after that I would always try to pop into her classroom to greet her to see how she was doing. I even saw her about a year ago and my friends and I were walking past the school and she saw us and greeted us like time never past and gave us hugs and was very happy to see us. This actually made my day because even though it was something small, the smallest actions always make the biggest impacts, and things like saying hi, or a simple compliment, can change a person's mood, day, or even life. Ms.Villone also used to ALWAYS promote for everyone to be kind to each other and love each other. I remember she used to run the Helping Hands Club, a club in which students would do projects that would help and support different charities. She would always pour her heart and soul into this club and always made sure that everything we did, we did it with purpose, passion, heart, and love. The reason why I think Ms.Villone should win this award is that I feel that out of the MANY people she knows and has helped, she has always made you feel wonderous even you are having the worst of days she is always available to talk to you, and always encouraged others to love each other. That is why I think Ms. Villone should win this award.
Thank You!
even years after i’ve been in her classroom, i still think about ms. villone all the time because of the huge impact she’s had on my life. from the first day i met her, to the most recent time we’ve crossed paths, ms. villone always knows how to bring a smile to my face. she brightens up every room she walks into and i don’t know if all of her students truly know how lucky they are to spend the year with her. the things i learned in that classroom so long ago have stuck with me to this very day, and i don’t just mean “the fifty nifty united states” that i can still recite by memory. i mean something so much more. ms. villone helped me shape my morals, she’s shaped me into the person i am today. i might’ve not known it then, and it may have taken a year or two to sink in, but she is the person who taught me how to be compassionate and caring. she taught me to always respect others and to stay true to myself. when i was younger, i had no idea how important these lessons were. sure they seemed significant then but as time went on and it all really began to sit in, it just became a part of who i am and i don’t know where i would be if i hadn’t been fortunate enough to have ms. villone as my fourth grade teacher. i’m so grateful to have been able to spend a year with such a wonderful teacher and lovely person. she is so beautiful inside and out, i can say for certain that she’s changed the lives of so many people for the better. i truly cannot think of a more perfect person to receive this award.
How does one become a Life changer of the year or be qualified for the spotlight award? Well it starts with being a great Sister, Daughter, Mother/Father, Friend, and Teacher of life 24 hours a day. One can’t sit and possibly know what it feels like to be a young student in her classroom but fortunately as Mayor at the time I was honored to be able to visit her classroom. Her students though don’t get the pleasure of only learning in her classroom. Katherine has been seen dressing as Rosey the Riveter, dressed in jeans for a town clean up, and in many other outfits while out with her students. You see to Katherine her job is never over as she encourages her students to strive for more and help save the world themselves. One only has to listen to students she has had years ago to know what she has created. She has taught her students Empathy, and recognizing what others do. Her students picked me up when I was at a low point letting me know that I make the world a better place. Her students have raised money to build wells in Africa, they have won Special awards at the county level, but this year has been a new challenge. While not being able to have guests come into her classroom she had special guests “Zoom” in. She was a Mom to many kids who may have been alone. At Night she logged back on with her students to help them forget about being quarantined in their home. The most amazing thing about Katherine is her personality to never want to be recognized. I would say let me tell people what you did and she would always say NO don’t tell anyone. Reading testimonials about her it seems the secrets have gotten out which is Great; cause all the praise people give her is never equal to all that she has done. Katherine has changed my life for the better in so many ways just being herself and encouraging me to do more. Thank You Katherine for all that you have taught our Community.
Best teacher ever always take the time to share with students and spent time with them ,even in this hard time . She was my boy teacher 4 year ago and we still getting letter from her
Love her so much
I am so grateful that my daughter had Mrs. Villone as her 4th grade teacher. During the pandemic, we lost my father in law to a tragic accident and she was there for her. She invited her to a zoom trivia night and it made her so happy. It was nice to see her smile and to forget about all the craziness that was going on around us. I will be forever grateful to Mrs. Villone for her kind heart and support. She is truly a wonderful person and she deserves this award. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ??
Katherine Villone is a beloved teacher. She is not an 8-3 teacher. In these crazy circumstances I’ve watched Katherine work till all hours of the night to assist students. Katherine initiated the beautiful messages on Franklin school fence telling her students they are loved n to stay strong. She assisted families thru thus pandemic with food and other supplies. This is a woman that always goes above and beyond with a heart that continues to give
Where do I begin!!!! She and I met when my now High schooler was in her class... We had an unbelievable connection both being Pisces and Educators! She was always encouraging me to teach elementary or simply come to Bergenfield to bring more diversity, even though I had 17 years as a High School teacher under my belt for NYC.
I admire her continued efforts to connect with her past students via notes, postcards or the occasional call.
My daughter is looking forward to being her TAP student if possible. She is warm, encouraging, outspoken and PRESENT. She has the ability to give you her undivided attention and it's an authentic feel with every conversation- Additionally, her HELPING HANDS organization has left an impact on us all. We continually think of it inorder to donate clothing and our time. She is an awesome educator to have in Bergenfield, NJ.
What words are good enough to use to describe Kathy Villone? There aren't many that could; because words can't make you feel what you feel when in Kathy's presence. She has the uncanny ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the world; the MOST IMPORTANT person in the world. She listens without judgement. She helps without preaching. She oozes love and compassion. She is one of those people that is ALWAYS there for me - ALWAYS picks up my phone calls, and ALWAYS is there for those she cares for. She is fiercely loyal, and fights for what she thinks is right. She fights for those that don't have a voice. She stands up for those whose need it most. She has started a local food bank. She works at a food pantry for her community. She donates clothes, food, and money to anyone who needs it. She is there for her two beautiful children, siblings and her beloved mother. She is there for her students, colleagues and friends unconditionally. I have seen first-hand what her compassion can do. I am lucky and blessed to call her my best friend. She is the epitome of a life changer in every way.
The LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award 2020-2021 aims to recognize an educator who has “gone the extra mile” for their students and community during the Covid-19 crisis—an educator who personifies the very best attributes in an educator. Well, look no further because Ms. Kathy Villone has gone FIVE HUNDRED EXTRA MILES to calm fears, creatively educate, bring joy and smiles, comfort the afflicted, brighten hearts, and do everything possible for her kids and the town. Covid-19 has been a horrific punch to the Bergenfield school community. In a town of just over 25,000 people, mostly people of color or who speak a second language, there has been a devastating almost 1000 cases (probably many more) and a stunning 42 deaths. One of Ms. Villone’s students lost a horrifying 3 family members. (That student actually wrote a comment here already about her.) Over the years she has earned a reputation for being THE teacher kids dream about having and also for doing incredible things for people---often-times without them even knowing it was her. But the dark cloud of Covid spurred her on to an all new level. There is an old saying that actions speak louder than words, so I decided to read everyone else’s comments, add a couple I heard around town and list out SOME of the things Ms. Villone has done for my “story.” Consider that she: Did daily check-ins and check-outs with her students to make sure they were OK; Sent meals to families who might not have food; Did creative daily Zoom lessons with her class and individual kids to keep them on track academically and personally; Developed amazing virtual class learning projects; Decorated the school fences with inspiring messages to promote school pride; Sent “I Miss You” postcards to all her students; Sent postcards to ALL her former students ( over fifteen years’ worth) to encourage them; Called and texted many parents around town on a daily basis to check on them; Recognized special days, holidays and events such as Ramadan and more; Checked on first responders in town who might be infected or suffering; Dropped off goody bags with craft projects and treats to all her students as a surprise; Conducted virtual game nights with former students; Had her students write gratitude letters to the town’s Department of Public Works and First Responders; Dropped off Mothers’ Day gift baskets for her students to give their mothers; Taught her kids calming strategies and yoga techniques; Taught Covid safety lessons using literature; Had the students create online country heritage projects; Taught a no-sew mask technique for Earth Day; Organized online Birthday celebrations; Did birthday drive-bys AND much more! Ms. Villone is also a master teacher and award-winning educator who has been, and is, involved in and led numerous district, national and international educational endeavors to support the profession. She is the Director of Education for an international humanitarian foundation which aims to empower women and bring water to impoverished African countries. She has led a community food bank and volunteers at another. She is a role model for educators who is sought out for advice and to act as a mentor. I know there are many really good teachers but none is as deserving as our role model, Ms. Villlone, who has done SO MUCH during Covid and personifies every single quality your wonderful organization has stated they will look for in the Spotlight Award Winner. She teaches her students to care for others and to take pride in what they do. Our entire school community is proud of HER.
Ms. Katherine Villone is a caring, considerate, and compassionate teacher. Ms. Villone goes above and beyond for her students past and present. Students know that they are truly loved by her. She goes out of her way to reach out to all of them. Each student always remembers
Ms. Villone.
Kathy also takes care of her Franklin School family. She is there for everyone in their time of need. She is an amazing person so that is why I nominate Miss Kathy Villone for the National Life Changer of the Year Spotlight Award.
It is my honor to support Ms. Katherine Villone for the Lifechanger of the Year Award. Ms. Villone is a fourth grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Ms. Villone is more than just a teacher, she is a strong, lifelong presence in the life of each and every student she meets.
When I say each and every student, I mean each and every student, whether or not they have been in her class. Ms. Villone makes every student feel like a priority in her life, and the truth is, they are. I have witnessed Ms. Villone's genuine interest in her students day in and day out. She has always been concerned about her students' academics, as any good teacher would be, but what makes her special is her attention to their emotional well-being. Ms. Villone is always available to her students, as well as their parents. She has had countless conversations with students who just needed someone to talk to. When there are families or individuals in need, Ms. Villone immediately jumps to their aid, researching and providing the necessary resources to help anyone and everyone she can. Ms. Villone is always working outside of her contracted hours to ensure the well-being of the entire Franklin School and Bergenfield community. Many times, her support has come with a monetary value that she pays for out of her own pocket and without hesitation. If students need books, she provides them. If students need food, she provides it. If students need clothing, she will provide it. The list goes on and on. It is heartwarming to see her in action and to witness the way all of the students respond to her. There have been numerous times when Ms. Villone has stopped by my first grade classroom, just to say hello to and learn about the students she will not have in her class for another three years. It brings her genuine joy to interact with these children, and they feel special each time she enters the room.
It is my privilege to work with Ms. Villone, a caring and supportive teacher, colleague, and friend. I learn from her each and every day about making a difference in the lives of others. Ms. Villone has permanently impacted the lives of hundreds of students and I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this award.
This needs to be said this teacher right here changed my life her kindness and smiles and her way of teaching me made me the person i am today. I was in her fourth grade class and u remember sitting down and getting upset when i didnt get anything right , i had such a hard time in school but Ms.Villone helped me through all me fears and took her time with me even though it took me a while to get there she was there every step of the way. There was never a day I wanted to miss school she made everyday fun and i learned alot from her. She has her unique way of teaching that none of my teachers in my 12 years of school ever taught. She always would tell me never to give up and she always tries to help me with advice too even when i wasnt her student . She helped me revise my portfolio to get in honors language arts in highschool she didnt have to do that but she did . This women is made of gold right here and deserves all the blessings . Now i have a son of my own and i cant wait for the day he can be taught by her ?? because i know what an amazing teacher she is .
Ms. Villone is very loving and caring teacher. If there is an award for the best teacher she should win it. I nominate Ms. Villone for the life changer award. She is the best!!
I am thrilled to support Ms. Katherine Moran-Villone for the Lifechanger Spotlight Award as well as the Lifechanger of the Year Award! NOONE is more deserving! Others have written convincingly about her truly AMAZING efforts in Bergenfield during Covid 19 to offer an incredible, world-class education to her students and to bring comfort to students, parents and the entire community. No educator did as much to connect and support as her. So, I wish to take this opportunity to share "MY" story with this inspirational, life-changing woman!
I remember getting my fourth grade schedule in the mail during the summer of 2007 and seeing the name 'Villone' for my assigned teacher. She was new- in fact my class was her first at Franklin elementary. To this day, thirteen years later, through the tens and tens of teachers I have had, this woman is still, by far the most kind, generous, creative, special, and impactful teacher I have EVER had. Aside from being a teacher that exemplifies the true meaning of teaching, this woman was everything else for us. A second mother, a friend, a shoulder to cry on- no matter how many years it had been since you graduated her class. I remember how excited I used to be to go to school because Miss Villone was my teacher. She incorporated fun into every lesson, and my classmates and I used to be eager to learn everything she had in store for us. This woman poured her heart into everything she did- I remember how she would decorate the whole classroom for every single holiday. She had about three or four enormous bins filled to the brim with prizes that we would win for either being on our best behavior throughout the week or for the most class participation, and those bins were resupplied with new toys every single week- without fail. I cannot imagine how much of her own time and money this woman put into making our school experience the best it could be for us. My childhood was not easy. I had two parents who were extremely busy with trying their best to keep a roof over my siblings' and my head, and I had to do pretty much everything for myself at nine years old. There was once when I forgot to pack myself lunch, Miss Villone had asked me about it, and then she left to take her own lunch. But she came back about 15 minutes later with a lunch for me from Wendy's. Just for a moment, try to imagine not only my gratitude, but my excitement. I remember that day like it was yesterday. There was a time where she bought our entire class Chinese food because we performed well on the NJ ASK. Miss Villone was the best teacher to ever step foot into Franklin Elementary, and every kid knew it. I remember how my classmates and I used to brag about how we had Villone, and it wasn't just a class of 2008 thing either. Miss Villone became a legend of Franklin School, and every kid wanted to have her. Miss Villone's love didn't stop at fourth grade graduation either. She gave me a summer job helping her organize her classroom when I was 15. I would every so often get an email from her with a picture of nine year old me and a little recount of a memory of her's and some well wishes. She saw me at a restaurant once earlier this year and quietly told the waiter that she would cover my bill. This woman is a walking angel, and I know I am blessed to know her. These brief recollections of her kindness aren't even the tip of the iceberg of all the wonderful things Miss Villone has done for me personally. She is a true role model. Her lessons extend far beyond the classroom and deep into the soul of each of her students. This woman taught me about courage. She taught me, a little girl with so so many insecurities, the essence of self confidence. To this day, she remembers my childhood dreams and supports me in the road I actually wound up taking in the health field. Miss Villone is as she would always call me "Beyond Bergenfield". She is beyond a teacher. She is a mother to all. A friend to whomever needs one. A confidant for any person who needs a trustworthy ear. She exemplifies the meaning of human kindness. I can say with true conviction and with all sincerity that Miss Villone is truly one of the best teachers in the world. I could not think of anyone more deserving of the Lifechanger Spotlight Award and the Lifechanger of the Year Award! Not only is she deserving, but the world deserves to know about her!
To comprehend the enormous impact, Kathy has made in this world, one must take a holistic look at her acts of kindness and compassion. She is a fourth-grade elementary school teacher and certified school counselor in the Bergenfield Public School District in Bergenfield, NJ. In addition to her teaching career, Katherine is an Educational Consultant with the Georgie Badiel Foundation, working to develop partnerships with educators to raise awareness of the critical shortage of water in Africa and its impact on educational opportunities for African girls and women. Katherine has spent time teaching and volunteering at a Tanzanian school and has traveled extensively in Africa, Europe, Central America, and North America. She also serves on the board for the National Coalition for Safe Schools.
I have observed her handing out "You Matter" cards to students and parents she meets to make them feel loved, give them hope and confidence. Anyone you meet that has met Kathy will talk about her ability to mentor and build up every young child she meets. Most importantly, she is making an impact on everyone she meets in life, and you can see this daily in her actions and results. Kathy has dedicated her life to making a difference, and every step she takes is with a purpose to make this a better world.
During this pandemic, Ms. Villone went above and beyond anything expected by an educator. While many looked to end their day early, Kathy was focused on her student's well-being 24/7. She held numerous virtual game nights, and Zoom calls to keep spirits high. Kathy coordinated and decorated the school fences with inspiring messages such as "we miss you", and "we love you." She visited each of her students with birthday surprises and made sure they were doing well. Multiple times during the Pandemic, notes of inspiration or gifts were sent to the students. The students indeed had a role model, friend, and inspiration at the most challenging times.
I honestly believe Kathy's commitment, kindness, and generosity have been life-changing for hundreds of children, parents, community members, and others. Kathy Villone exhibits character, compassion, altruism, and kindness. She embodies "The Golden Rule" with every action of every day with each person she meets. Ms. Villone represents the Maya Angelou quote, "At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel".
Mrs. Villone is an amazing teacher. I have never met a teacher who is so engaged and involved in the care of her students. Once the schools shut down due to the pandemic, I was concerned that my son would have issues with learning and focusing, or get lost in the shuffle. Despite whatever her fears or personal concerns with Covid were, she kept her students at top priority. She was in constant communication with us and made sure my son had everything he needed to succeed and stay mentally and physically healthy.
Before Covid, I was so impressed with the lessons that my son would come home with. She taught the kids lessons on the environment, current events and the importance of caring for others. She truly prepares the kids for the world ahead of them. I hear stories all the time from parents of older kids who had Mrs. Villone in Fourth Grade. Time and time again they say that she STILL reaches out to them to check in, see how they are doing and support any needs. I feel so blessed that my son has such a solid role model in his life.
Ms Villone was my 4th grade teacher, She was so much fun, she knew how to balance fun and schoolwork , she taught me how to do division, multiplication and so much more. She taught me so many things, she would let us go outside if we finished work early, she would give us little toys if we behaved well. She also was always there for me when I went through 3 losses of the people I loved the most. She was first in line when it was my birthday drive by. Ms Villone is always there for me when I need her, she taught me so many things and these are the reasons why I nominate my teacher Ms Villone
I wholeheartedly nominate Katherine Villone for the LifeChanger of the Year Award. As a colleague who has worked with Kathy for many years, I can attest to her unwavering dedication to be an outstanding educator. Ms. Villone teaches students curriculum and has high expectations for them to be successful, but she goes far beyond teaching students academic curriculum. She has a natural ability to make each child feel welcome, accepted, and special. She finds the time to learn about every child’s interests, and makes it a point to somehow incorporate their interests into her dynamic lessons. In addition to teaching, her outreach to the community always amazes me. She is constantly volunteering her time to go to students’ games, activities, etc. I truly believe Kathy loves what she does, and it is so evident from the moment you step foot in her classroom. Kathy is a wonderful person with a unique gift to help children through teaching, advising, encouraging and supporting them. Katherine Villone deserves the highest recognition for bestowing her time and talents upon her students.
Ms. Villone is a caring and compassionate person.
From the time she began at Franklin School, Ms. Villone has helped others. She is always there to help her students. If a student does not understand a lesson she will stay after school and review with the student until they understand.
Another example of being a Life Changer is she is concerned about the students’ future. She is helpful in hosting a Career Day at school. She brings professionals to the school with many different careers. Some of the professionals that have been included are people who hand make instruments to professionals in charge of charitable projects that are national and international in scope. The students always are so interested in what the career professionals have to say.
Mrs. Villone is helpful and supports her school family. She is always there if there is a problem or situation where she can help the person out.
Mrs. Villone is also a wonderful parent to two children. She is always there for them and has always encouraged them.
It is for the above reasons plus many more reasons that are too numerous to mention as to why Mrs. Villone should be Life Changer of the year.
Ms.Villone has a special place in my heart. She encourages all of her students to do better.She has fun teaching methods, and she makes learning fun and easy, she likes to teach her students different ways to solve things. She is the kindest person I know. She helped me through a rough patch in life and I am so very thankful for all she has done for me and others. She always puts her students before herself. I want her to know that she is amazing and she definitely deserves this.
Ms. Villone is my daughter’s one of the best teacher.
Although we moved to another town now, I’m always impressed by the kindness of the teacher who takes care of students.
Even though, Ms. Villone is busy always as a mother and a teacher but she takes care of her love with her students.
Ms. Villone is best teacher. I love and respect the teacher’s passion.
I must first say we hadn't had a better teacher for my daughter then Ms. Villone; she is by far one of the best teachers. Ms. Villione made my daughter's 4th-grade year one of the best. Our daughter was shy, and Ms. Villone helped her to become more of a leader, and now she's become a more energetic young woman thanks to the kindness and care she showed our daughter. She's deserving of this award for all the work she does in our community and around the world.
There are no words I can come up with that can start to describe the sheer warmth of Ms.Villone’s heart. As a former student from her third grade class nine years ago, I can still attest to the incredibly kind and loving person that she is.
She takes care of each and every one of her students as her own and teaches them with such immeasurable love and compassion to build their futures. Even though I moved out of the school district many years ago, we still keep in contact and, in fact, she came to one of my local Shakespeare theatre shows three years ago.
As I am going into my senior year, I can say that I have had many great teachers, but none of them have had the same impact on me as Ms.Villone has. She has shown not just me, but even my family and so many more of her students’ families so much compassion and thoughtfulness. I still remember the little Hershey’s kisses that she would give me and the little things like that that would make my day.
Anyone can tell you that her love for her job is incredible and that she is amazing at it.
I fee so blessed and honored to call myself one of her former students and I’m sure many other people feel the same way.
"One of the things that we never discuss or we rarely discuss is the value and importance of human connection, relationships. Every child deserves a champion! an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insist they become the best they can possible be ~Rita Pierson~ This quote sums up all I can possible say or feel about Ms.Villone. Ms.Villone was the teacher we will never forget. One of my girls had the honor to have her as her 4th grade teacher. Ms. Villone is the kind of human leader we need to inspire our children. Any student who had her directly or indirectly has been blessed to know her. My girls are now in middle school and we still talk about her and we still have the connection no other teachers had given us. Ms.Villone is family, Ms.Villone is inspiration and most of all Ms.Villone is kindness from the heart!
Ms.Villone is a leader of compassion, tolerance and kindness towards humanity, Ms.Villone is and she will always be our champion!!
My family learned the power of giving a make a difference, when we recycled water battles and collected money to give it to the needy in Africa. The pride my daughter developed and the leadership of that experience is something we will never stop thanking her!
During this uncertain times of the pandemic and the closing buildings. Ms.Villone never stoped inspiring and showing care to all the students. The sign of care and love for the children was always there. Even for the ones who are not longer with her. My daughter received a beautiful post card from her and OMG it made our day!!
It was a re installment to trust in humanity. It was the hope we want to feel this days. Every day we drive by the grammar school just to see the signs Ms.Villone arranged with care and love for all of us to see. Ms.Villone has a special place in our hearts and she will never be forgotten!
Ms.Villone you are, you were and you will always be our champion!!!
Ms. Villone has always been an amazing teacher, role mode, and person. She has been a teacher for over 20 years. Her dedication, and energy make her not only a great teacher, but also very generous. She is a person who makes time to help in any way she can no matter what the situation might be. She has time for her students and teaches them what the real world is like. An amazing person with a kind heart.
"Thank you" is a completely inadequate way to express my gratitude for everything that Ms.Villone has done-- not only for me, but for her hundreds of students whose lives she has truly changed. Her selfless acts have humbled me and shaped me into the person I am today. I had the pleasure of having her as a teacher as a 9 year old going into the fourth grade. I distinctly remember the jubilance running through my body after opening the letter that told me I would have her as a teacher. My older cousin would tell me stories of her legacy at Franklin School, and I could not wait to be apart of it. She is not only a teacher, but a motivation and a friend to her students. Ms. Villone gave several opportunities to all of her students from the moment they walk into the classroom. I had the privilege to work with her to change lives at food pantries, recycling water bottles and collecting the money to give to the needy, cleaning up trash around our town, organizing and donating clothes to give to the less fortunate, and so much more that have made me and several others want to change the world. Not only does she lead a "helping hand" (the name of the club she created for her students to help others the way she does), but she continues to as she watches her former students grow. Three weeks ago, my old fourth grade classmates and I received a personal postcard asking how we've been and gave thoughtful messages, each different and heartfelt. She also helped me with my high school schedule and gave helpful advice as a teacher and a friend. Ms. Villone opened my eyes at a young age to lead me with a future where I knew what I was capable of in a way I've never thought was possible. She has changed my whole aspect on not only learning, but kindness, respect and most of all, love.
Ms.Villone is someone who I will always thank for helping me break my shell and improve not just academically, but also improve as a person. I was super lucky to have her as my 4th grade teacher back in 2012, her class was always so much fun and she just made everything better. If we were having a bad day she would always find a way to cheer us up wit a fun activity or with a quote. Quotes were one of her favorite things. Everyday we would have a quote of the day , and would have to explain it in our own words or what it meant to us. Besides being a great teacher, she was as well an amazing role model, someone I will always look up to. Ms.Villone created an incredible club/organization at Franklin Elementary School called,Helping Hands. This organization was an organization in where we helped others who were less fortunate. For one of our fundraisers we had to collect books in order to create a library in a third world country in Africa. We also had many other local fundraisers like food drives, and collecting money to donate for cancer research. I am so proud to say that I was treasure of the organization when I was in 5th grade, and it’s all thanks to Ms.Villone for giving me the opportunity. Ms.Villone always puts others before herself and has a huge positive impact on everyone in her presences. Thank you to her I am who I am now, a hardworking student who used to struggle in reading and comprehension, but now excels in all her classes.
Congressman John Lewis, the late, great Civil Rights trailblazer, implored us, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to DO something about it.” And in Ms. Katherine Moran-Villone’s classroom, and in her daily walk of life, that is exactly what she has done every day and continuing throughout Covid-19. Whether it is being the champion for every kid who sorely needs one---black, Latino, Asian, white, Native American, gay or straight, standing up to bullies since childhood, traveling to Africa to change the lives of kids who have no families, or collecting food and clothing for the financially insecure, Kathy Villone decided a long time ago to DO something to make the world a better place---BEING the change in the world. And she instills these values in her lucky students, literally changing their lives since the first day she walked into her classroom. I am honored to write in support of her nomination for the Lifechanger of the Year Spotlight Award as well as the general awards program. No-one, nobody, no-how is more deserving of these awards than this truly great educator. We know that Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted minority communities like Bergenfield, and during this national crisis she has done everything possible to offer a world class education and to “keep it together” for her kids and their families who overwhelmingly come from minority households. Many among us have been traumatized and have lost family members, and what she has done is nothing short of amazing. She developed a first class distance learning program on the fly, delivered gift baskets to all her students not once but TWICE to show them how much she cared, conducted Zoom sessions with her class, small groups and individuals ( I heard she GAVE a computer to a child who did not have one), sent postcards with personal notes to all her former students going back 15 years, sent encouraging cards to all her current students, reached out to first responders in town who were dealing with Covid-19 to be sure they were OK ( many times they were not), decorated the school fences with inspiring messages, did birthday drive-bys, did daily wellness check-ins with her students, collected food for the food insecure, led virtual game nights for former students, made a creative year-end video for the students and much more. And during this international time of reckoning, I must point out that Black Lives Matter is something that has always been true in Kathy Villone’s life and classroom. Quotes and photos from Dr. King, President Obama, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and other black luminaries have long hung prominently in her classroom, and she has stressed the lessons of equality and civil rights every day with her students. She has supported and honored the African-American literacy program, Cool Kids Read, and attended their functions. She modeled her support of black lives mattering by travelling to Africa at her own expense to volunteer at an impoverished school and with Tanzanian orphans. She is a frequent volunteer at an urban food pantry where she one year collected enough toys, gifts and food for all the clients’ Christmases. She serves as the Director of Education for the Georgie Badiel Foundation which empowers African women and builds wells for clean water. In fact, she is the most culturally sensitive person I can imagine. Most notably, she goes about her day with a smile and a word of good cheer for everyone whom she encounters. But don’t interpret her kindness as weakness as she will be the first to stand up to injustice. Although my kids are grown now and can’t be in her classroom, everybody in Bergenfield knows what she has done during Covid-19 and how amazing she is. I have always been struck by the number of kids who say she is like a second mother or that she is the only teacher with whom they have ever connected. Dr. King asked, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” In the case of Ms. Kathy Villone, the answer is LOTS, and she richly deserves these awards.
Lots of people are really good at "talking the talk," but they don't "walk the walk." Ms. Kathy Villone is a great teacher and person who everybody knows they can count on. She walks the walk. I know because both my kids had her and we still keep in touch with her years later. Here is a little story that shows how terrific she is. My son was living the dream of playing Division I college baseball as a freshman for a major university. He had worked his whole sports life to get there. A few weeks into the season, Covid-19 shut down the team and he was back home for months. The season was shot. Obviously he was stung by it. One day, a postcard arrives in the mail for my son with a handwritten note from Ms. Villone encouraging him and trying to cheer him up. It was nine years since she taught him, but just like all her students, she didn't forget him. Ms. Kathy Villone is one in a million, and she deserves to win this award.
Ms Villone, she is one of the best teachers we have in Franklin School in Bergenfield. When my daughter Sofia Granados was on 4Th grade she started an organization at the school named Helping Hands. My daughter learned how easy we can help people in need. It was an excellent job she did wirh the students. My daughter loves her
I am forever lucky to have been a part of Ms.Villone’s 1st fourth grade class back in 2007-2008! She has such a genuine soul, and I will always look up to her. I vividly remember being in her class 12 years ago because of how fun it was, she did everything she could to make us engage in the topic and made us love to learn. She knew how to make learning fun and how to keep us focused. Ms.Villone helped me become the courageous and outgoing person I am today. She would do anything and everything for her students whether they had her 12 years ago or now, she still remembers and loves each and every one of them. 4 years ago I had the pleasure to be her TAP student and I got to relive all my 4th grade memories and help teach with her every day. It was such an honor to see how great of a teacher she is from a different perspective. Ms. Villone goes above and beyond and will forever be my favorite teacher.
Ms. Villone has had a lasting impact on my life from the moment I walked into her classroom 10 years ago. She encourages growth in all her students and makes them know how much she cares for each and every one of them. I always look forward to her postcards she has continuously sent throughout the years and her kind words and well wishes. Ms. Villone definitely changes the life of every student who has ever has the fortune of meeting her.
Ms Villone, she is an excellent teacher she is a life changer for my son Manny . When he was in middle school she sent him a card with each of his teachers signature for his National Honors society induction ceremony . It meant so much to him. She still gives him guidance for his future studies. Ms. Villone is very caring teacher and a wonderful person.
The ocean couldn’t hold the amount of incredible things that I could truthfully say about Katherine Villone, but I know people don’t want to read an essay, so I’ll just say this. Her natural ability to impact lives in a positive and meaningful way is unmatched. I’ve witnessed and experienced it. I’ve watched people put on acts and fake all my life. Ms. Villone’s authentic desire to help others is everything, but fake. I think every one in this world needs a little more KV in ‘em.
Ms Villone‘s passion for being a teacher can be seen early in the morning, even before school starts! She reaches out to all the students in the school, while they are lined up to get in to the class, where she cheer them up and interact positively to wake them up from the half sleep.:) The initiative and love she shared with the students and community during this difficult pandemic situation is commendable. Being the parent of 2 students in Franklin I can say how much she is important for the students, school and community. She definitely deserve this award.
I am proud to nominate Ms. Villone for the Life Changer of the Year award. Ms. Villone’s kindness, selflessness, and compassion towards her students and others makes her the perfect candidate for this award. I had Ms. Villone as my fourth grade teacher and she inspired me and many other students with her commitment in making the world a better place. Ms. Villone remembers every single one of her students and keeps in contact with them to this day. I can’t think of anyone else that deserves this award other than Ms. Villone.
Competent, caring, compassionate teacher! She taught my grandson, Johnny! I was more than pleased with her performance and his educational outcome!
I have known Katherine since we played field hockey together in high school which was over 30 years ago. Kathy has always been a very caring, compassionate person and someone who would always offer to help in any situation. These qualities are why Kathy is an amazing teacher. She truly loves all her students and children in general, she loves her job and goes above and beyond what is expected of a teacher time and time again. She has spent countless hours and her own money to show these children they are loved. She has organized clubs and fundraisers and tirelessly works to make sure the needs of her students and their families are met. Kathy is definitely not only a role model to her profession, and her students but everyone who knows her. She not only teaches academics but how to be a good person. Bergenfield is very fortunate to have a teacher like Ms. Villone that impacts the lives of her students in such a positive manner!!
Mr. Rogers famous quote and advice. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,” Rogers said to his television neighbors, “my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
KATHERINE VILLONE is one of those helpers who is making the world better during a dark time! She is the heart and inspiration we all need!
I nominate Ms. Villone. Ms. Villone is a fantastic, kind, beautiful, generous person inside and out. She is so deserving of this honor.
It is with great gratitude that I nominate Ms.Villone. I had Ms.Villone in 4th grade. She taught me to come out of my shell and to express myself, to do my best, and that it was okay to make mistakes, because those mistakes are what makes us stronger. Ms.Villone taught us to be kind and to reach out to those in need. In the fall, I will be a sophomore in high school. Ms.Villone is still there to guide and support me through my journey. I thank her for always supporting me, never judging me, never expecting me to be perfect, teaching me to be kind to others, and always telling me to do my best. Ms.Villone will always have a special place in my heart.
There is no one more deserving of this nomination than Katherine Villone. Kathy’s kindness, love, and dedication for others is truly amazing. As a teacher, Kathy teaches the children to be strong and creative, to try their best at what they do, and shows them that making mistakes is not the end of the world. She also teaches them to be kind to others and to try and help when others are in need. Her door is always opened for not only her students, but to the parents and even those she never had in her classroom. My family was blessed when my daughter had Kathy in the 4th grade. My daughter will be entering the 10th grade in the fall and she is still there supporting and guiding her. Recently, my daughter had a birthday and Kathy reached out to her to make sure she had the best day she could have during the pandemic. We are truly blessed having her in our lives.
I have worked with Kathy for five years and am amazed at the compassion, respect and kindness she showers her students with on a daily basis. Kathy gets to know each of her students and how they learn best while also recognizing any problems they may be encountering academically, emotionally and socially. She is truly worthy of this award as Kathy is the embodiment of changing the lives of her students, both present and past. Once a student enters Kathy’s room she makes herself available to help and guide them throughout their school years and beyond if necessary. It is remarkable that one person finds time for so many people. She is also fun to work with and advises me on many matters when I ask. Bergenfield is a better place due to Kathy Villone’s presence in the town.
Both of my children were lucky enough to have Ms Villone as their teacher. There is no one else like her. She taught them great but also cared about them as people. She did amazing things for my family when we needed her most. I thank God for her and she should win!
Between her compassion, kindness, charisma, and well-rounded personality, there is nobody more worthy of this award than Ms.Villone. Unfortunately, I was never an actual student in her class. However, I still feel as of she was my favorite teacher. Her dedication to helping others and inclusion of all is truly inspiring and will always be appreciated.As a teacher, Ms.Villone was always kind hearted and accepting to all. Her ways of enlightenment have left permanent marks on all of her students, as well as myself. For a fact, I know that no teacher will ever come close to the leadership demonstrated by Ms.Villone. From everyday struggles to a globally impacting pandemic, Ms.Villone continues to demonstrate the same consistent positive attitude that is so graciously appreciated by all. May her impact always be noticed, and her attempts to make the world a better place always be celebrated.
I am writing about the spotlight award. If anyone deserves the spotlight award it's Katherine Villone. She is one of the best teachers and human beings I have ever known. Ms. Villone decorated the fences of Franklin School in Bergenfield during the pandemic with heart felt messages for the town of Bergenfield. That is just one of the many things Ms. Villone has done for Franklin School. She is a teacher who genuinely cares! Ms. Villone taught my son when he was in 4th grade and she still keeps in touch with me and my son; my son is now a sophomore in college! That is how special she is; she continues to help, support, motivate, encourage and overall just be the best person in every way possible. During the pandemic Ms. Villone sent my family a postcard to see how we were doing during and followed up with a phone call and asked if there was anything she can do for my family. She is definitely worthy of the National Life Changer of the Year Spotlight Award and I truly hope she wins because she deserves it!!
It is with great pleasure I nominate Ms. Katherine Villone for the National Life Changer of the Year Spotlight Award. Her nurturing dedication and support as a mother, the energy, determination and encouragement as a teacher,
and her loyalty, humor and humility as a friend is most rare. She is an extraordinary human being who advocates for so many. Her tireless efforts to her community during this time of uncertainty is another example of how we are surviving during this pandemic. Helping one another.
I have marveled at her teaching approach, her creativity and innovation. I remember watching the enthusiasm of her class outdoors, picnic style. Her ability to engage positively with all children. I am so inspired with how much of an impact she has had on many families at Franklin school and the great humanitarian efforts she has made in the community of Bergenfield and beyond. Many powerful teaching moments, and an honor for my child to participate with Ms. Villone's charitable endeavors for Africa and India. Miss Villone is not afraid to listen, not afraid of taking one's hand to make a stand. She is a professional, a mentor, a leader and trusted friend. She is consistent at reaching out to her students and reminding them how important they are and they are not forgotten.
Ms. Villone is a worthy recipient of the National Life Changer of the Year Spotlight Award. "Your legacy is every life you've touch." Words by the late great Maya Angelo and fitting from my dear friend Katherine Villone.
Ms. Villone has done so much for kids and the town during the pandemic and every-day! She is unbelievable! She spent her own money to buy all her kids gift baskets to cheer them up and left them at their front doors. She left them gift baskets again at Mothers day to give their moms so they wouldnt be sad. She decorated the school fences with messages like We miss you when the virus was so bad. She sent all her kids cards to cheer them up even kids she had years ago. She did Happy birthday parades. She always collects food and clothes for people who don't have them. She is like a Mom or dad for the kids who all love her. Ms. Villone should win this award! None is like her! She is sunshine! She always smiles.
Ms. Villone is amazing! We were very lucky to have her as my son's 4th grade teacher. My son still receives notes from her checking on him even thought my son graduated high school and today he is a United States Marine. Thank you for all you do for all the children and parents. Thank you for all you taught my son Johnathan Michel!??
Ms. Villone greets all the students in the morning with a big smile. One time my daughter cried because she didn’t think I said goodbye to her. So Ms. Villone called me to try to calm my daughter down. Not too many teachers would go that extra mile. She has also been so great to my older nieces and nephews. She is absolutely the best!!
Ms.Villone is a considerable teacher/person. She was my former teacher in the years of 2016-2017 and still today I consider her my teacher because she always teaching me something new and helping me out in many different ways. During quarantine, she has checked up on me and asked about my family daily! She has a kind heart and cares about everyone. She always had a different way of teaching and always included an inspiring message somehow. Even still to this day, Ms.Villone took me out of my shell and helped me discover who I was by her kind, thoughtful words. Ms.Villone has a positive personality and puts a smile on everyone's face! During this pandemic, Ms.Villone sent postcards to her former students which is a lot, giving them encouragement and hope, and checking up on them! She has also participated in a lot of charity works and fundraisers. She truly deserves this award!
Ms.Villone your one of the nice and amazing teacher thank you for always reaching out and wishing me good luck in my studies!.
My daughter next mom.. such a loving, kind and caring individual
She's a very good teacher and also a very good mentor to all her students .
In the many challenges that we encountered right now she find ways to uplift the spirit of her students through the means of our modern technology. She made effort to personally check the welfare of her students by visiting them and I think that is one of the remarkable thing to do to maintain her bond with them and to encourage them to continue to learn even in virtual setting..
She's a very good teacher and also a very good mentor to all her students .
In the many challenges that we encountered right now she find ways to uplift the spirit of her students through the means of our modern technology. She made effort to personally check the welfare of her students by visiting them and I think that is one of the remarkable thing to do to maintain her bond with them and to encourage them to continue to learn even in virtual setting..
As a former student of Franklin elementary it is a privilege for me to nominate Ms Villone. She is a great teacher always there for students. She knows each one of us well. I was not in her class but she was always there to help me with anything I need. Every day morning if it's sun or rain Ms Villone is there in front of Franklin to greet all of us with a smile. We love you Ms Villone.She deserves this award more than anyone
When the phrase "Life Changer" comes to mind, the first person I think of is Ms. Villone.If I start writing about what she does for her students 1 day may not be enough. Her students are everything for her. She goes above and beyond for her students. She helps them personally and professionally considering each kid as her own. She is the best. If anyone deserves this award or is Ms Vilone. As a parent of her old student I consider this as an honor to support Ms Vilone for this award. Bergenfield ??Ms Villone
Ms. Great person and excellent always job hard to students and community service
Such a wonderful person that has always taken the time to help people regardless of how busy she is. She’s a wonderful role model and goes beyond the measures to help others. That’s one of the many things that’s admiring about her. She brings such a welcoming atmosphere to the community. Truly a lovely person. Also, thank you for helping me during my final years of college. Please continue to be the best teacher that you are !!
Ms. Villone has taught me many important lessons through my time with her. She taught me to give back to my community when they need me. She taught me respect, and to learn more about people rather than judging them off of first appearance. She is a role model and a great leader.
I am a former student of Ms. Villone and I will now be entering my sophomore year of highschool. Throughout the years of knowing Ms.Villone, I had the opportunity to help at shelters, a town pantry, clean up my community, and much more. She is the reason why I am so open to helping the world and making it better for everyone else. Throughout my fourth grade journey I met the most wonderful person that helped me become who I am today. Ms.Villone became one of my best friends from the start and to the future today.
It all began when she handed me this blank book. As I opened the book I saw the first note she wrote to me saying “slow and steady wins the race”. As a fourth grader and only being 10 year olds, of course I didn’t really know the true meaning behind those words but as I started to get older, I started to understand the true meaning and value to life. Those words have changed the way I view life today. Ms. Villone always puts others before herself and that is why I believe she is a wonderful human being. She’s done so much for me throughout these past years and there’s so much I want to say thank you for. Thank you for always being there for me at my lowest points, thank you for pushing me to be the best that I can be, and thank you for always understanding that not everything can be perfect. Ms. Villone has spent hours and hours on making this world a better place. I truly believe that Ms. Villone will always be there for me and others no matter what. I can tell you that she is going to make this world a better place for all!
She has always taught the kids to be strong, and to lead wherever they are. She is a strong woman, who knows how to teach kids respect, and to give back to their community. She is an amazing person who teaches the kids to learn more about other people, and find ways to help each other out.
I am a former student of Ms. Villone and I will now be entering my sophomore year of highschool. Throughout the years of knowing Ms.Villone, I had the opportunity to help at shelters, a town pantry, clean up my community, and much more. She is the reason why I am so open to helping the world and making it better for everyone else. Throughout my fourth grade journey I met the most wonderful person that helped me become who I am today. Ms.Villone became one of my best friends from the start and to the future today.
It all began when she handed me this blank book. As I opened the book I saw the first note she wrote to me saying “slow and steady wins the race”. As a fourth grader and only being 10 year olds, of course I didn’t really know the true meaning behind those words but as I started to get older, I started to understand the true meaning and value to life. Those words have changed the way I view life today. Ms. Villone always puts others before herself and that is why I believe she is a wonderful human being. She’s done so much for me throughout these past years and there’s so much I want to say thank you for. Thank you for always being there for me at my lowest points, thank you for pushing me to be the best that I can be, and thank you for always understanding that not everything can be perfect. Ms. Villone has spent hours and hours on making this world a better place. I truly believe that Ms. Villone will always be there for me and others no matter what. I can tell you that she is going to make this world a better place for all!
As a father I am very grateful that both my children have had Ms. Katherine Villone as their 4th grade teacher. Not only did she support them back than but she still does now to this day. She does all that she can do to bring out the best in my children. She is an amazing person. She is very kind towards everyone and will not hesitate to help anyone out.
I would like to recommend her for this award!!!
Ms.Villone was my 4th grade teacher 6 years ago, to this day she is still the best teacher I’ve had . She is nice and caring and teaches kids to be compassionate to others. She is not only a great teacher but also an amazing person who’s taught many kids life lessons that they can imply for the rest of their lives.
I nominate Ms. Kathrine Villone for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award. She has helped me achieve many things in my life. I believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone has changed the lives of many people!!! She is always striving to be the best version of herself. She is always giving her all. She never thinks of herself before others. She’s always putting others above her. She has always gone above and beyond to help the people around her. She has brought out the best in me. She is always so kind, inspiring, and is an amazing person. I honestly truly believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone is the best candidate for this award!!!
I nominate Ms. Kathrine Villone for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award. She has helped me achieve many things in my life. I believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone has changed the lives of many people!!! She is always striving to be the best version of herself. She is always giving her all. She never thinks of herself before others. She’s always putting others above her. She has always gone above and beyond to help the people around her. She has brought out the best in me. She is always so kind, inspiring, and is an amazing person. I honestly truly believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone is the best candidate for this award!!!
As a student of hers, I can say that Ms. Villone is an excellent teacher, mother, and friend. During the challenging moments of my life, Ms Villone supported me emotionally. She always has a positive attitude, and properly cares for her students. I’m currently a senior. However, she still sends postcards to my family because she cares for us. Furthermore, during the covid-19 situation, Ms Villone personally came to the elementary school and attached positive posters on the gates to encourage all Bergenfield students to stay safe and healthy.
I took Mrs.Villone’s class almost ten years ago now and I still credit some of my biggest life lessons to her. Even know I can remember the comfort her and her class brought. Her enthusiasm and care for every student is felt and really makes a difference. Even today she’ll see me, know who I am, and ask how I’ve been. She truly changes lives for the better.
Ms. Villone embodies all of the characteristics of a true life changer. She does not hesitate to help her students in and out of the classroom and has always been such a positive influence. Although it’s been years since i’ve been in a classroom with Ms. Villone, we still keep in contact — if it wasn’t for her guidance, I would not have survived the stress the first semester of college brings. Ms. Villone is one of the greatest additions to Franklin School and I am so grateful to have been able to have her as a teacher, mentor, second mom, and friend!
Though I’ve never had Ms.Villone as a teacher, her kindness stretched further than just her classroom. Regardless if you were a student of hers or not she always treated us like one of her own, almost like our mother outside of our home which brought such a comfortable factor to Franklin School. I am now a sophomore in college and until this day, Ms. Villone makes it her duty to still reach out and check on the students she had years ago, which just genuinely shows that she truly cares for us and I can’t think of a more fitting award deserved by Ms. Villone.
Ms. Villone you are an amazing teacher overall. You always brings joy to the kids and parents. We love you ????
I have to say I have met great teachers over the years with my 3 kids.. but Ms. Villone has made a great impact in both my kids and I. She’s an amazing human being and always so thoughtful. It amazes me how she’s able to keep in contact with her students over the years and how she’s always thinking and reaching out to make sure everyone is good.. thank you so much Ms. Villone, Gabriela, Gabriel Perez and Catherine Abreu love you very much.
I have known Katherine for over 20 years and had the opportunity to be both a parent and colleague. She exemplifies the meaning of teacher and goes above and beyond for each of her students and their families as well. I wish her all the best and know she deserves to be recognized!
I am currently going to be a sophomore college and still have such a strong connection with Ms.Villone. She has done nothing but communicate with my brother and I ( her former students ) and stay in touch . Not only to us but my family as well. I will always have so much love for Ms.Villone as she has done everything and anything to make the student I am today . Congratulations on this nomination because you truly do deserve it and much more. Thank you for everything and I love and miss you dearly ??
Ms. Villone is one of the most caring, outgoing, and amazing teachers i’ve met. Ever since the 4th grade I have always missed her and wished her the best with years after my class. Being a sophomore in high school now, I still remember her class like it was just yesterday I left her class. I can still say that till this day, she is still my favorite teacher. She taught me so much even when it wasn’t needed. I still wish Ms. Villone the best in the next few years. Her love for kids and compassion for teaching is honestly amazing. She is someone who deserves the title of being a life changer, because she most certainly did change mine..
Ms. Villone you are an amazing teacher overall. You always brings joy to the kids and parents. We love you ????
Ms. Villone never stops giving! She is the first one to help a student, help a parent, help a co-worker, help a stranger. That's who she is. Ms. Villone has positiveness flowing with her boundless energy while constantly thinking about who she can help next. Her warm, welcoming smile helps students relax, feel so accepted and so good about themselves. Therefore, her students are able to excel and have such success! Ms. Villone helps students to think beyond themselves by reaching out to the community, by initiating appreciation projects to those who help us and to give to those in need. Lessons and hands-on activities like this, help students develop into caring citizens of the world. Ms. Villone's love and caring ways become a domino effect spreading further and further..... making the school, the town, the world..... a much better place. And THAT is what a life changer does!
I have known Katherine Villone personally and professionally for over 20 years. She is a dedicated mother, teacher, and friend. The end of the school year doesn’t end the relationship that Kathy has with her students. They always come back to see her. She’s not just a teacher to them. Her care for each and everyone of her students is amazing. She always goes above and beyond to make each and every student feel special. I don’t know anyone more deserving of this award.
I taught with Ms. Villone and I personally know how dedicated she was and continues to be for the students in Franklin School. She has gone beyond the everyday curriculum requirements to know and assist each student’s personal issue so he/she can succeed . She has provided a warm and inviting environment in her classroom in order for each student to feel safe and secure. Ms. Villone always tried to reach out to all the students In the school to let them know she was there for them if they needed help. She has a positive and uplifting spirit with a bright smile, a humorous gift of storytelling, a contagious laugh, and a selfless determination to give and make
time for each student. Ms. Villone is wholeheartedly involved with the students , has provided guidance and direction, and has created different community projects to help the students understand how important and necessary it is to volunteer and help others.
I have had the privilege of working with Kathy Villone for many years at Franklin Elementary School. Kathy is a true Lifechanger, having changed the lives of the students that have crossed her path. Her compassion, creativity, warmth, patience, and dedication to her students establishes a forever bond. Kathy always provides a safe, nurturing atmosphere that stimulates student learning. Ms. Villone has established programs that assist each student’s knowledge, such as Helping Hand and Homework Clinic. The children were always eager to participate. She always makes learning fun and interesting. Kathy always keeps in contact with her past students and they are always eager to visit her and reminisce. Therefore, I know Kathy Villone is an excellent candidate for the LifeChanger of the Year Award.
Ms. Villone is such a kindhearted human being. During this quarantine, Ms. Villone would check up on my brother and I and ask my mother how the hospital is because she is a nurse. I really do not know how much time it took for her to check up and send postcards to everyone she knows, but that is how she is. She would literally risk it all for someone's well-being, she is such a selfless person. She even put up signs at our elementary school saying how much she missed us, such a thoughtful act of kindness. Ms. Villone also has a pantry that she brings me to so I could help out and gain community service hours. She never thinks about herself, always about others. This is why she deserves this award. I love you Ms. Villone!
Kathy Villone is the definition of an ideal educator who touches the hearts of hundreds of students, parents and families. Kathy was my mentor teacher and has taught me more through her actions than any textbook or class has taught me. Her overwhelming love, care and concern for her students is beyond exemplary and she has set the bar high for teachers. Ms. Villone ensures that every student feels emotionally, physically and mentally safe in her classroom. She has touched the hearts of so many students because of her talent in turning a bad day into a great one! I have seen her work wonders Not only as a teacher she is supportive of her fellow teachers, communicates well to ensure that the needs of all students are being met and is genuinely concerned for the well-being of her colleagues. She steps out of her way to ensure that her colleagues are successful as well.
Ms Villone has always been very caring during the pandemic and before. She was easily the most trusted teacher among many of her students, and even students that were never hers. During the pandemic, she has been very supportive with her students and their parents, sending postcards to every single student she’s had in her 20 years of teaching. She’s helped decorate spaces around the school and town with kind messages, and she has hosted zoom calls to help kids who’ve been affected in any way by the pandemic. Before the pandemic, she has participated in many fundraisers along with her students and was always loved by the school.
I see Ms.Villone as one of the most hardworking, caring, and helpful teachers in the community. She is also trustworthy and fun. She helps numerous charities like Clean Water and also works at a pantry. In school she asks the kids in class to collect water bottles so she can take the bottles to a recycling center to get money. She also makes learning fun. Not much work and easy. Every Friday we would play games at the the end of the day. She also is very considerate of others well being. If someone is feeling down she always helps them become happy again no matter what it takes. She goes above and beyond in everything she does, whether it is for her students or fellow workers. In all honesty and respect, I believe that Ms.Villone should be nominated as Life Changer of the Year.
Ms Villone has always been very caring during the pandemic and before. She was easily the most trusted teacher among many of her students, and even students that were never hers. During the pandemic, she has been very supportive with her students and their parents, sending postcards to every single student she’s had in her 20 years of teaching. She’s helped decorate spaces around the school and town with kind messages, and she has hosted zoom calls to help kids who’ve been affected in any way by the pandemic. Before the pandemic, she has participated in many fundraisers along with her students and was always loved by the school.
An angel---that is what Ms Villone is. Mention her name to just about anyone, and they will smile and say, “That woman is amazing!” Many people have died in Bergenfield because of Covid, and some families have lost multiple loved ones. It has been one of the hardest hit towns in the country, and everybody is traumatized. Ms. Villone has done everything humanly possible to ease the pain all the while still being a terrific teacher. One day many weeks back, when the virus was raging in town and everyone was worried, Ms. Villone decided she had to DO something and ventured from the safety of her own home to decorate the Franklin School fence with inspirational messages such as, “We miss you!” Parents stopped to help her and within hours the signs were viral on town social media. It gave hope to everyone who passed, but that was just one of the many things she has done. Although my own kids were not lucky enough to have Ms. Villone as their teacher, she treats every kid in the school as her own and knows them all by name. During Covid, I have heard from parents that she left gift baskets for every kid in her class with small prizes and treats. For Mothers’ Day she delivered more gift baskets for children to give their mothers with a poem and crafts projects. During the closure, she sent every kid in her class a postcard to encourage them, and she sent EVERY former student a postcard, too---even the college-aged ones (My friend has one.) I have heard that she has done creative Zoom sessions every day with students and that she did daily online check-ins with her own students to make sure they were,“OK.” She contacted first responders’ families in town who had the virus to offer support (I know one). She even did some virtual game nights with former students to cheer them up and Birthday Drive-Bys. Ms. Villone is THE MOST HUMBLE PERSON and will never be the one to broadcast what she has done unlike some who are all too happy to make sure EVERYbody knows how good they are. THAT is why she is an angel. Ms. Villone SO deserves to be recognized with this award for what she has done during Covid, throughout the years and for being a true LIFECHANGER for the community.And you know what? It would mean a lot to all of us,too!
As an educator and a parent whose two children have both had experiences with Ms.Kathy Villone, I am thrilled that she has been nominated for this award! Ms. Villone goes above and beyond in everything she does and is known far and wide as someone who is deeply committed to Bergenfield where she herself grew up. Everyone has a story about some amazing thing that she has done for a child, someone in town or even children in Africa where she volunteered one Summer. Others have written here about some of the great things she has done during Covid, and I can attest to that with personal experience. My son was in the midst of a successful first year of college baseball when Covid shut down his season and sent him back home to us for the rest of the year. We were all so disappointed! Not long after, he received a wonderful personal note in the mail from Ms. Villone, his former teacher, encouraging him and wishing him well. We were so impressed by this kind act, but we certainly were not surprised. I later found out she sent postcards to every current and past student from her classes. That is the kind of inspiring teacher she is. While my daughter was not in Ms. Villone’s homeroom, she was a member of a humanitarian outreach club which Ms. Villone runs. I used to accompany her, the children and other parents to a church with that club where we distributed food which the kids gathered. One Christmas, Ms. Villone pulled up in her truck overflowing with toys and food which she had collected for distribution. You see with Ms. Villone, it is always about others and never her-self. I could go on and on about the charity work she does to build water wells in Africa, the line at her classroom door each afternoon of kids looking for help or counsel, of what an extraordinarily creative teacher she is and so much more, but all I will say is, Ms. Villone is incredible!
If anyone is deserving of this award, it is Ms. Villone. When the phrase "Life Changer" comes to mind, the first person I think of is her. Ms. Villone has a way of kindling a fire in everyone she interacts with, that will most definitely set someone in the right path. Her ability to treat everyone the right way is just her nature. Being that it was a decade ago when I was her student, I find it astounding that she still finds a way to connect with me and my fellow classmates. Postcards that she sends us, checking up and making sure things are well in college, always put a smile on my face. They make me feel as though I never left her classroom and she will always be not only my teacher, but a life changer.
It is an honor to nominate Ms. Katherine Villone for the life changer of the year award. Not only has she changed the lives of my children as she has been 3 out of my 4 kids 4th grade teachers, but she was also an advocate for my whole family when when we needed her. She was able to make an unmanageable situation for my children manageable and I wouldn’t have survived without her. Kathy was able to bring the best out of my kids. She has kept in touch with my older ones and followed them through college while getting to know my youngest who is just getting to 4th grade. She is a cheerleader for the community, especially during the pandemic. She left a beautiful message on the fence for the parents and students to see. It said “We Miss You” and “Bergenfield Strong” During these times we needed to see these words with such a devastating outbreak in our community from covid. She reached out to us even though we weren’t in her class and she got us connected on zoom and my kids on game night. Kathy is a very special person. She is an inspiration to all and definitely a life changer in my eyes. I don’t know anyone who deserves it more than her.
Ms.Villone, although she was not my teacher, my brother had the honor to be one of her students. She was the head of an amazing organization called "Helping Hands" when I was in elementary school. We did great deeds to help the community such as food drives at local churches for the homeless. Ms. Villone is a great advocate for positive actions that children should be following. She is a great inspiration to me because she is one of the most caring and genuine people I know. I will never forget the bright smile I see everytime she steps in a room. Her effortless generosity is seen by everyone she comes across. She deserves the Life Changer of the Year award for not not only her compassion, but her charismatic character and inspiring personality.
The art piece left by Ms. Villone in the fence of the elementary school made me smile. The last 3 months everyone that has driven by has been encouraged and uplifted by her messages: Bergenfield Strong. Love you. Miss You. Stay Safe. XOXO
All made with red SOLO cups!
We received a postcard encouraging our kids to stay positive. She reminds them to be kind. She gives freely and selflessly of her time, her love and her knowledge. This teacher exemplifies ALL that is good and kind in this world.
My daughter, waited anxiously for the school letter saying who her 4th grade teacher would be. As soon as it arrived & she found out it was Ms. Villone – she burst into tears. I was so confused until she said “Mom I’m so happy! I was hoping to get her.”
That year she got PARC scores that surpassed her grade average – I directly credit Ms. Villone for it. She used to have trouble concentrating in class and during tests. Ms. Villone taught her how to zero in on the tasks in front of her and encouraged her to do her best. She was disappointed at not being chosen as a safety. Ms. Villone taught her that there are other ways to make a difference as leader of the school’s humanitarian group efforts. They collected bottles for the deposit, Ms. Villone drove them to the recycling center on a Saturday morning. The proceeds went to the Badiel Foundation. The funds help the people of Burkina Faso dig wells for clean drinking water. Being a part of this expanded Nyah’s world view. So many of the lessons that my husband and I as parents, instill in our daughter, were emphasized by Ms. Villone every day. She makes these kids feel that any goal is achievable. That each one of them is special and has their own talents. She jumps double-dutch with the girls and shoots hoops with the boys. She is warm, kind and generous. Kids feel comfortable enough to confide in her when they are troubled. I beat cancer and complications necessitated a hysterectomy. My daughter had seen me go through so much that another surgery was scary to her. Ms. Villone reassured her, comforted her and put her at ease. Then she asked my daughter for the name of my favorite restaurant. Enough food to feed all of us was delivered to my door anonymously. I had to call the restaurant to find out who sent dinner. She is a single mom, who works a second job, while putting two kids through college and she spent her hard earned money to ease the burden of a stranger. I’ll never forget what she did for me. I'll never forget the love she poured on my little girl. Though she is no longer my daughter's teacher, the humanitarian project continues, the encouragement continues, the positive reinforcement continues. She day after day makes an indelible impression, not just on students, also on the people around her. My daughter is a better student because of her and I’m a better person because of her example. She is not just an exemplary educator, she is an extraordinary human being. Ms. Villone is deserving of this honor. I humbly and respectfully request that you consider my nomination of Katherine Villone. Thank you.
She is.an amazing teacher with a heart of gold. She goes out of her way to make sure you are happy and have a good day. She makes learning fun. She teaches you about compassion and doing for others.
Have you ever heard or watched the movie "The Blind Side?" "I am Sam?" They are based on true stories.We have all heard of Mother Teresa, Princess Diana etc... well Katherine Villone is this centuries humanitarian! She is truly a gift that has blessed not only Bergenfield but beyond Bergen County. She is more than just a elementary teacher. Throughout the years she has gone over and beyond helping students and others. Now more than ever during the pandemic. Katherine extended a smile and hope to those by providing wellness checks on first responders & families with COVID. She held Zoom session with students. Made gift baskets for Mother's Day as well as for students filled with treats to cheer them up. Mailed out postcards decorated the school fences with platic red Solo cups, reminding students they are loved and missed. The list goes on, its act of pure love for others. Katherine, deserves this award for this would be the least we can do for all she has given to many.
My dear friend Katherine Villone has been my hero from the very day we met when our sons were in kindergarten together 17 years ago. I knew she was a single mom, I knew she had a passion for teaching but I also knew she was still in the midst of getting her masters degree and I knew she longed to pay it forward to her town of Bergenfield, where she herself was educated. Fast forward to when she became a teacher at her school, and invited my daughter and I, to visit her classroom, when my daughter was struggling with learning disabilities and I was truly as a mother who could not relate to that. She put her arms around both of us and gave me the tools to be a compassionate and caring parent who held a higher standard for my daughter when nobody else would. I was able to see my daughter for who she was and this amazing person, Ms. Villone, helped me give my daughter tools to excel. And now my daughter will be a senior in high school and has had all
A’s and B’s this year, even during the Covid virtual learning because Ms Villone gave her the tools !
Ms. Villone is an exemplary teacher, a hard worker, as well as a compassionate and sincere person. She cares so much about her students and is always willing to go above and beyond to make them happy and to let them know she is always thinking and caring about them. Ms. Villone maintained ongoing virtual contact with parents and students throughout this online learning journey. In addition, she delivered each student in class goody bags and arranged contact-less drop offs at students' homes. During these trying times, Ms. Villone had every student in mind- not just the students in her current class, but all of the students she has taught in the past. She sent post cards to every former student (2008-2019) to encourage them and to let them know they were on her mind. As anyone could imagine, this is a long and tedious project (that is A LOT of post cards!), but nothing was considered too difficult or too time consuming when it involved her students. I will always consider Ms. Villone to be a teacher to look up to and an example to follow. I nominate her for this award and feel there is no one more deserving. ?
I am not sure if there are any words in existence that would adequately describe how much Ms. Villone means to me. Every word I can think of just doesn’t do her justice and no words can ever really express the gratitude I have for her. But, I am going to try the very best that I can to explain why she is the epitome of what a lifechanger means.
I first met Ms. Villone when she was my fourth grade teacher, all the way back in 2008. It is no accident that I still have my class picture from fourth grade hanging in my room. That school year of 2008-2009, I felt a real connection with a teacher for the first time. See, Ms. Villone had a way of making each and every student in her class feel seen and heard and understood. As a 9 year old, walking through the doors into her classroom was as easy and comforting as walking into my home. I felt safe in her classroom because I knew Ms. Villone wasn’t just a teacher; she was and is a close confidant and an unwavering support system.
As I reminisce about that year in fourth grade, I smile with fondness at the memories. I remember her quirky lesson plans and how they engaged every student to do the very best they could. We learned so much, but we had fun doing so even if we were challenged. One thing I remember so vividly is this daily morning routine we had in her classroom. Ms. Villone had a problem on the board, like a math problem for instance, at the start of every morning. These problems were called the “Stumpers”. It was a competition where we raced to see who finished the question first. And when we finished the problem, we would run to get to her first to get points! It was so fun and a way she woke us in the morning and got us ready for the rest of the day. I would always run home and tell my mom about the “Stumpers” because it never failed to be a highlight in my day. But that is just how her classroom was from the very first day of school until the last. We built gingerbread houses, made pop rock candy sticks from scratch, created our own makeshift year books with superlatives for every student, and she even had a prize box. Each day, integrated with learning about writing and math and history and science, was the notion that learning should always be fun and engaging.
But, Ms. Villone's teaching did not begin and end at the core curriculum of the education system. Instead, it was an infinite spectrum of knowledge on how to be good people. How to be kind to others and how to be empathetic to those in need. It was through her example, we all learned in her class what it means to be compassionate individuals and to live a life free of judgement. As a young girl, I looked up to her immensely. I wanted to be a good person like her, someone who leads with her heart and with kindness. In many ways, she was and still is my role model.
Fast forward a couple of years and I was in high school, but I was not doing so well. I began to struggle with depression and anxiety, which caused me to feel isolated and alone. It was a very dark period in my life that lasted many years. But I remember getting an email from Ms. Villone one day. It was a beautiful and personal email that was a light at the end of a nightmarish tunnel for me. It was right in that moment, the moment I read that email, I realized I wasn’t alone anymore. I had someone who understood me, without any judgement or question. She heard me and she saw what I was going through past the diagnosis. She let me vent to her and share my experiences. It was due to her unshakable support and understanding that I was able to see something I thought I had lost; hope. Ms. Villone gave back to me the hope I had for an extraordinary life and I don’t think I can ever explain just how much that meant to me at the time. From that very email, Ms. Villone and I began consistent communication throughout the years. The companionship that we formed has helped me through the toughest times of my life and one of the relationships I value the very most. Now at 21 years old, I still read that email she sent all those years ago every so often. I read it to remind myself of perseverance and hope and kindness. I read it and I am always in awe of this wonderful teacher that I had the pleasure of meeting in this life. And that's why I believe without any doubt and with full conviction that Ms. Villone represents a lifechanger. Because she not only changed my life, but she saved it.
It is certainly my pleasure to support Ms.Villone for this award! I have had Ms.Villones support for over 15 years now since the day she became my teacher at Franklin school as a little kindergartener. She has always been like a second mother checking up on all of her former students, and making sure we were always on the right track. To this day I know I can send her a simple message as she is there to support me in every which way. During the pandemic, when driving by Franklin School, I noticed the cup signs around the fence. When I saw that I immediately felt warmth and then when I found out that Ms.Villone was the one to go stand there and do that for the community, I did not even question that it was her because that is who she is! The most genuine, compassionate person you could ever meet. The amount of effort and time she dedicates to her students is not even close to all the kind and wonderful acts she does overall. She is always trying to make a difference in this world whether thats running a soup kitchen, or working with a non-profit, she does not give up! Reading the above summary of the other things she did throughout the pandemic shows exactly the type of person she is. She supports all her loved ones in every which way and now I am here to support her! She deserves this the most and I am so happy that I was blessed enough to have had the most amazing teacher and now supporter in my life!
The most phenomenal teacher I have ever met to teach my son. My son is in 4th grade and Ms.Villone is his teacher. Sam has learned a lot but even though there are so many things to learn and sometimes topics can be difficult she always knows how to connect the whole class together. She has so many good qualities, not only as a human being but as a teacher. This is why I nominate Ms.Villone
Ms. Villone has positively impacted my educational career, ever since I was in her first, fourth grade class. I never failed to think about her in high school, especially when I wanted to come back to Franklin school to promote Read Across America Day. She helped organize the events with me and encouraged reading to many classrooms in the entire school. Revisiting my elementary school was nostalgic, although things felt slightly different, Ms. Villone remained the positive, goofy teacher she was since I was her student. She puts in more effort than the "ordinary" teacher, and this is why she deserves this award. Even now, driving back home after a long day of work, I see signs made by Ms. Villone and can't help but smile knowing that she continues to go above and beyond for her students, even during quarantine. Ms. Villone deserves recognition for her work and passionate initiatives for her school and the community.
It is my great pleasure to support Ms.Katherine Villone for the Spotlight Award. Her contributions as a school teacher are not limited to just her current students but to the Bergenfield community at large.
It is amazing to see that she cares for her former students and their families during the time of this Pandemic. She has showed an extraordinary compassion and concern for her current students and former students, by sending them cards, text messages, emails and phone calls, to give them courage and moral support during this difficult time. I am blessed to be a parent of two of her former students— my daughter who is in middle school and my son who is in college.
During the peak time of the Pandemic, in March 2020, when New Jersey was having days of highest death rates and in complete lock down, I happened to drive by the Franklin School. To my surprise I saw a few cars in the school parking lot. I slowed down my car to check what was happening, and to my shock I saw Ms.Villone decorating the fence of the school with red disposable cups.The messages she wrote with red cups were all about love and care, and how much she missed her students. This symbolic expression shows her motherly love as a teacher that is unmatchable. I don’t think any teacher would dare doing this in the midst of a depressed period. This shows the genuine love and concern she has for her students.
I also heard from my neighbor that Ms.Villone later went to the houses of all her students and dropped off gifts on Mother’s Day (in the month of May) as New Jersey was still on complete lock down and people are going through tall kinda of hardships.
If I am going to write all about her past inspirational activities it cannot be accommodated in this message space. I strongly recommend Ms.Catherine Villone for this Spotlight Award because she deserves this, and our country needs this kind of people to be rewarded for what they do to cherish love and care for each other as human beings. People like Ms.Villone are needed more at this period of social unrest to promote harmony, peace and unity. As a parent and medical expert, I am happy to provide more information about Ms.Villone’s other contributions to the community. Feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions.
Thank you
God Bless America
I nominate Ms. Kathrine Villone for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award. I believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone has changed the lives of many children and their families even including some adults. She never just thinks of herself. She always puts others above her. She has always gone above and beyond to help others. She has always brought a bit of light to everyone she meets. She is inspiring, courageous, and kind towards everyone. I truly believe that Ms.Kathrine Villone is the best candidate for this award!
I am nominating Ms. Villone for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award. I am a lucky parent whose two kids both got Ms. Villone as their fourth grade teacher. She is an inspiration to all her students and a role model for their parents. She always has an optimistic outlook on life. Even now, during the pandemic, she put up signs with messages in front of the school to cheer up everyone who passed by. She even sent postcards to all of her students, former and current, to keep their spirits high. My son is in college, and the postcard that he received really cheered him up. There is no one that I can think of more deserving of this award than Ms. Villone.
I nominate Ms. Villone for the National Life Group LifeChanger Award. There is no one more deserving than she is. She reaches out to her students even during these difficult times, and she inspires everyone to keep a positive mindset.
I am nominating Ms. Katherine Villone, a fourth grade teacher from Franklin Elementary School in Bergenfield, New Jersey for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award. As both a former colleague as well as a current local resident of Bergenfield, I am uniquely qualified to assess her efficacy as an outstanding educator who goes above and beyond to make sure her students thrive during these unprecedented times. To say Ms. Villone is an inspirational teacher is an enormous understatement. Her role in the life of her students far exceeds that of a teacher; she is a positive role model to her students who need guidance, a champion to those who need someone to stand up and fight for them, and most importantly, a life-long friend and ally to all.
One of the reasons why Ms. Villone is such an inspiration to her students is because she is a product of the same community in which she teaches. Ms. Villone was born and raised in the very same school district in which she currently teaches; a blue collar, working class community with an ethnically diverse population located within ten miles of New York City. She is a proponent of local pride and giving back to the community in which she was raised and inspires her students to do the same. It is not uncommon to see her at local pee-wee football games, dance recitals and band concerts. It is because of this unwavering support that many of Ms. Villone’s former students come back to visit her long after having her as a teacher, whether it be for quality life advice and guidance or to simply say hello and catch up.
Of course, while the Covid-19 virus has caused great hardships and adversity, Ms. Villone has once again proven herself as more than capable of rising to the challenge. Upon driving past Franklin School, located on one of the main streets that bisect Bergenfield, one cannot help but notice a gigantic, 30-foot wide sign proudly proclaiming, “BERGENFIELD STRONG”, erected by none other than Ms. Villone. This sign, with its centralized location in town, was met with widespread approval when it appeared within the first few weeks of the quarantine, and serves as a reminder to all Ms. Villone’s students that there is a whole community of people working together to persevere through this adversity.
Ms. Villone also contributes to her community through her Helping Hands Club. What originally started as a small after-school club focused on assisting those in need has grown to a district-wide club that coordinates food and clothing drives throughout the year to help less fortunate people in her community. However, the scope of Ms. Villone’s charitable endeavors is not limited to local efforts; she also places a strong emphasis on global awareness and helping people who her students will likely never meet. Throughout the past few years, Ms. Villone and her students have raised awareness and funds to build several water wells in rural Africa so that villagers no longer have to walk several hours every day to retrieve water. This specific project not only teaches students about compassion and helping others, but also empowers them to feel a sense of accomplishment for their efforts.
While Ms. Villone’s charitable endeavors are nothing short of exemplary, the area where she really distinguishes herself from her peers is in her ability to form lasting relationships with her students, both past and present. One of the first things an outside observer would notice about Ms. Villone’s classroom is how different it is from a typical fourth grade classroom. To put it simply, Ms. Villone’s class is interactive, engaging and most of all, fun. She places a strong emphasis on free-play activities and lessons, favoring collaborative group exercises that help develop social skills and emphasize teamwork instead of rote exercises and lectures from textbooks. Although it is certainly true that Ms. Villone places an emphasis on academics, she is able to maintain a positive learning environment that is beneficial to the self-esteem of her students by creating specialized lessons that cater to their specific strengths and weaknesses.
Ms. Villone is without a doubt a worthy recipient of the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award . Her enthusiastic, encouraging and supportive personality gives her students the self confidence they need to develop into courageous and self-assured adults and her emphasis on assisting others ensures that those same students will be outwardly concerned with improving their own communities as well as those who are less fortunate throughout the world.