\u00a0Ridgefield, Conn. (June 13, 2019) \u2013 Ridgefield High School Spanish teacher, Daniela Silvestri, was in for a surprise the morning of Wednesday, June 12 when called into the office to \u201cspeak\u201d to Principal Stacy Gross.\u00a0 Instead, Ridgefield Orthodontist Dr. Blaine Langberg, along with school administrators, greeted Sra. Silvestri and awarded her a $250 prize for winning his office\u2019s \u201cMy Teacher Rocks\u201d contest. \u201cThe contest was held during Teacher Appreciation Month to bring awareness to the hard work teachers do daily, and to thank them for the huge impact they make on our children and communities,\u201d stated Dr. Langberg.<\/p>\n
The winning entry, submitted her by her 9th<\/sup>grade student Harley Zins, explained that Sra. Silvestri is \u201cnot only a fantastic Spanish teacher who bring interactive fun and learning into the classroom, but she also cares about the overall well-being of her students.\u201d Dr. Langberg and his team were inspired by Harley\u2019s essay, \u201cIt was heartwarming and impressive to read how Sra. Silvestri takes the time to gain the trust and admiration of her students.”<\/p>\n The Ridgefield orthodontic office received contest entries ranging from first graders through high schoolers.\u00a0 Students praised their teachers\u2019 hard work, patience, innovation, and kindness.\u00a0 Dr. Langberg was so moved by the many glowing tributes that he received from students in the area that he presented \u201chonorable mention\u201d prizes to four additional teachers\/students; Jenn Gallo\/Keira LiCursi (St. Mary\u2019s School); Farah Borges\/Lily Sidovar (SRMS); Jennifer Armas\/Ryder Broderick (BES); and Ashlie Miller\/Adam Robson (BMES).\u00a0Honorable Mention prizes consisted of a $50 prize for each teacher, and a $10 Gift Card to Deborah Ann\u2019s for each student.<\/p>\n Congratulations to all the winners and students!<\/p>\n