What seems like a dreadful detour today could blossom into a passion tomorrow, and Ms. Victoria Proscia, newly hired I.S.S/Special Education teacher, is proof of that. Originally wanting to become a buyer, or someone who chooses what clothes are sold in stores, Ms. Proscia attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. However, due to financial difficulties, she had to put her dream on hold, and her main focus shifted to simply finding a job.
Ms. Proscia became a paraprofessional; from assisting young children in daycares to pupils in high schools, she quickly discovered her love for helping older students, specifically in the special education system. She taught at Midwood for one year, and claims that while she struggled at first, she ended up “[learning] how to manage a classroom better.” Now, despite only being at Fort Hamilton for a mere week and a half, says that it has already made a lasting impression on her spirit. Ms. Proscia remarks that the school has become “her second home,” and that she plans to continue working at Fort Hamilton until retirement.
To adapt to the challenges that teaching in a new school throws her way, Ms. Proscia approaches her obstacles the same way she approached opponents in her high school Flag Football matches. Having to cooperate and communicate with people from different backgrounds taught her that collaboration and unity were necessary skills not just on the field, but in the classroom. When faced with difficulties in the classroom, she chooses to be a team player and come to a mutual understanding with her students. She believes that every student has the ability to succeed, and that with studying and effort in the classroom, all have the potential to prevail through doubt and stress.
In her personal life, she enjoys watching and participating in sports, specifically, softball and flag football. Her love for being around her students extends to a desire to have a family of her own. Additionally, Ms. Proscia is passionate about mathematics, as she feels it is easier for her to communicate through numbers than words. Her main career goals are to create a safe, positive, and educational environment for her students, and assist them in achieving their own goals. She wants to contribute to the school community in other ways as well, hoping to coach a sports team to pass on her knowledge to a new generation of athletes, and with her enthusiasm and dedication toward her career, the fruits of her labor are sure to feed the hearts and minds of many around her.
