RIDE Announces Rhode Island Teacher of the Year
GoLocalProv News Team
RIDE Announces Rhode Island Teacher of the Year
Smithfield High School’s Elizabeth Russillo was named the 2020 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year at a surprise ceremony with Governor Gina Raimondo and Education Deputy Commissioner Mary Ann Snider.
As Teacher of the Year, Russillo will work with RIDE throughout the 2019-2020 school year to support education statewide, including a special focus on educator recognition initiatives. She is also eligible to represent Rhode Island as the National Teacher of the Year.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Innovation and excellence are key to success in life, and that all starts in the classroom. Elizabeth Russillo embodies both of these characteristics in all she does, and that shines through in her students. I want to congratulate Liz and the entire community at Smithfield High School for their shared commitment to providing an outstanding education,” said Raimondo.
She is also eligible to represent Rhode Island as the National Teacher of the Year.
About Russillo
Russillo has been teaching at Smithfield High School since 2002, and has chaired the Science Department since 2010.
In this role, she led the school’s efforts to fully implement the Next Generation Science Standards.
She has developed a list of innovative programs to bring science to life for her students, including a trip to Fenway Park so they could meet NASA astronauts.
She planned a community Rube-Golberg machine night to help unlock the physical properties of the elaborate designs. Her efforts reach well beyond the classroom.
She has served as a mentor to other teachers, advisor to the student council, and tennis coach. She writes regularly on the teaching profession and served as a FUSE fellow and instructional coach with the Highlander Institute.