Part 1: Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Education Advocate Maureen Santora

Long Island City, NY - While preparing for this series, Maureen had just returned from a camping trip with her family. Camping, she notes, is one of many family experiences, such as sports activities and global travel, that Maureen has enjoyed all her life, and experiences that provide teachable moments,

“There is a teaching moment in everything. If a child loses a game, if a student doesn’t get an excellent grade, that is a teaching moment. It works for everyone and in every situation.”

So says this dynamic educational expert who has been teaching since 1967 and only retired a few years ago. There was a small gap while she raised her four children, three of whom went into the education field as well. Maureen believes the first, best, and most constant teacher every child can have is their parent.

Maureen has been a vocal advocate for education her entire life, helping families, students and other professionals to shape curriculum, share effective approaches, and participate in program and policy making. She made another notable contribution to education when she established The Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund in honor of her son, who was a history major, then a substitute teacher and a firefighter. Sadly, Christopher passed away in the September 11th national tragedy.

Maureen has particular expertise in early childhood education. She wishes we could get back to basics —like phonics, math by formula/repetition, and teaching geared to the most intelligent students (which she considers top down instead of bottom up.)  Maureen says teachers know better than anyone else just how kids learn.

For more information on Maureen’s work or the Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund, please email her, maureensantora@yahoo.com