Dear Geneseo teachers,
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to share a message of gratitude that comes not just from my office, but from my heart as a fellow educator.
Long before I stepped into an administrative role, I spent nearly two decades in elementary classrooms. Teaching is in my blood after growing up in my mother’s classroom and watching her make students feel seen, heard, and valued. When I eventually moved into my own classroom, I realized just how important the role of Teacher is in the lives of our students. As we work with our students and families, it’s important to know that, while we face challenges, it is also a profound honor and privilege.
To me, teaching has always been about being the person who can help a child see their own potential. It means understanding that every student brings a different set of strengths and experiences to the table and that our job is to design ways for them to succeed. Those years in the classroom were the most formative of my career, and they remain the lens through which I view my work today.
My path to becoming your superintendent, spending the bulk of my career as a teacher, is something I carry with me every day. It gives me a unique perspective that I constantly rely upon. When we discuss policy or initiatives, I am thinking of you, and of course, our students. I understand what you struggle with, I understand what you celebrate, and I understand the weight of the daily experience in a classroom.
I am grateful that many of you have reached out to invite me into your classroom. Those are visits that I always enjoy, not just to be able to see the work you’re doing up close, but also to momentarily step back into a role that I cherished. I am a student-centered leader because I was first a student-centered teacher.
Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your passion. You are the heartbeat of Geneseo’s schools, and it is a privilege to serve alongside you.
With deep appreciation,
Dr. Laura Delgado
Superintendent
Geneseo CUSD #228