“You never really know what a child may be carrying with them when they walk through your classroom door,” he said. “That understanding has shaped the way I teach. I try to see the whole child, to recognize the challenges that may not be visible, and to create a classroom where every student feels safe, valued, supported, and capable of succeeding.”
The state’s Education Department congratulated Geoninatti, his family, and school community on the prestigious and well-deserved honor, “expressing gratitude for his service to the students of New York,” officials said.