Mr. Montalto, a first-year teacher at Fort Hamilton, uses his fiery passion for history to create a comforting and educational environment for all students. From his skill in art to his youthful energy, he is able to meticulously integrate these qualities into his teaching, which then rub off on his students in the best way possible.
Mr. Montalto was an enthusiastic child who wanted to do it all. He attended both private and public schools, which helped develop his perspective on life and education. Once he reached college, he found the subjects that spoke to him. His love for history, politics and economics momentarily led him to believe a career in business or politics might lie at the end of his road. Recognizing that such enterprises prioritize profit over empathy, Mr. Montalto decided to become a teacher instead, citing his desire to work in “an industry of care” as his primary reason for choosing the profession.
“I don’t want to or need to be rich,” he said. “I just need to be happy and find value in what I do.” Fort Hamilton, a diverse and reputable school, caught his eye, and he decided to apply the instructional support services department and was offered a job teaching Global History and Algebra I this year.
Since being hired, Mr. Montalto has worked to foster connections with his students. As a current student at Adelphi University, he understands what it is like to be a student – to have to balance responsibilities outside of school with his responsibilities in school. Furthermore, Mr. Montalto dabbles in art and sketching. From being a beginner to a seasoned expert, he is able to understand how his students feel when introduced to something new. He can rely on his past memories and experiences of being a new artist to put himself in the shoes of his students, therefore creating a strong connection with them.
Indeed, Mr. Montalto understands that the ability to empathize is an important part of being a teacher. “When you’re not in touch with your emotions, you can lose a sense of your values,” he said. This shows his love for teaching, and that will be the reason that his students pass and look back fondly on their their time in his class.
