Tami G.

Legacy Traditional Scool

Tami was one of the original teachers to open our school over 6 years ago. She started with Legacy when it was just a few portable buildings on a vacant lot down in Maricopa, and has stayed with Legacy in all its growth and expansion. We now have 7 schools in seven different cities throughout Arizona and Tami has been there to support all the new incoming teachers each year a new school opens. I have the pleasure of teaching Kindergarten with Tami, and as a first time Kindergarten teacher, I am lucky to have her support. I come in each week with an arm load of work that I have done over the weekend, and Tami is there (after having come in and spent several hours at the school over the weekend) with all the things I didn't have time to do already prepared and on my desk. She dedicates all her time to making sure not only her students have everything, but that mine do, too! Tami is one of the most requested teachers at our school as well. Parents know her as one on of the best teachers at Legacy and always call our office to see if they can get their children in her class. This is because she uses many different types of media to make sure her students are learning in a way that is most effective to the needs of her students. We are a back to basics charter school, so our students sit at their desks and learn through direct instruction for several hours at a time. As you can imagine, this is tough on 5-year-olds, so Tami makes sure to use songs, rhymes, and other exciting and engaging activities to keep the interest of her students. On top of all her greatness in the school and the classroom, Tami is a single mom, raising 4 children on just a teacher's salary. You would never know she was struggling because she always keeps a positive attitude, but we all know she could use the validation this award would bring her. Please nominate Tami Gagliardi as KNIX & Fulton Homes teacher of the week!

Signed,
Amanda Newton