NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Family YMCA preschool teacher Marissia Bibbo-LaFog was selected as the July Teacher of the Month.

 

The Teacher of the Month series runs for the next 10 months in partnership with Berkshire Community College.

 

Bibbo-LaFog has been working in the child-care field for 11 years starting at the age of 15 as a camp counselor.

 

She also worked with high schoolers and just recently shifted to preschool, working as an assistant preschool teacher. 

 

"I've been solo teacher since December. I was assistant preschool teacher beforehand. I've been at it quite a long time," she said. 

 

"This is my first official year as a 'teacher teacher' and not just child-care staff alone."

 

It's a great field, Bibbo-LaFog continued, saying she loves it because of the connection with the community and growth with not only the kids but their families. Everyday the kids put a smile on your face, she said. 

 

"I have officially found what age group is the one that I want to stay with and continue to teach. They're the ones you see the most milestones because you get them at 2 1/2, and then you have them until they're 5 1/2," she said. 

 

"So you see a lot of growth in between those. And it's just really rewarding to see all that."

 

The most rewarding and influential moment for her was the decision to switch to preschool, she said. Even though it has been the most difficult; it has been the most rewarding. 

 

"I came in not really knowing much about these toddlers and preschoolers and now they're like my own kids, I treat them just like my own and to see them grow," Bibbo-LaFog said.

 

Right now the students are learning Spanish and that morning her students knew all their numbers. 

 

"So, that was like, it's just amazing to see how much they grow in such a short amount of time and how much information they really retain," she said. 

 

Although this is Bibbo-LaFog's first year working as a solo teacher her co-workers and supervisor praised her for her leadership, creativity, and nature. 

 

Her supervisor, co-manager Carlie Mantello, described Bibbo-LaFog as a happy teacher who is always interacting with her students. 

 

"She's a huge benefit to us. She's a team player," Mantello said. "...When we heard that she got nominated we both ran into her room and congratulated her because we can't think of anyone else so deserving."

 

As a teaching assistant, she immediately started doing crafts, implementing curriculum, and doing circle time, co-manager Jamie Willette said.

 

"She's been super involved in that room and we're super happy to have her here."

 

Even though working at a daycare can be a little crazy, Bibbo-LaFog always makes sure everyone is having a good day, her co-teacher Jada Smith said.

 

"She really goes into each student individually. She's really caring about each and every one of them ... So, we enjoy having her. She's really a blessing to be here," Smith said. 

 

Bibbo-LaFog is currently studying early childhood education at Berkshire Community College. She has completed all the classes to be a teacher and now she is pursuing her associate's degree in early childhood development.

 

"I'm a hands-on teacher. I think they learned the best through doing and through trial and error. I'm very active in everything we do," Bibbo-LaFog said. 

 

"We do a lot of arts and crafts, music, singing, a lot of things that are bright, colorful, just so they retain more of that information because they are on the younger side still."