About Mrs. Cichocki
My name is Laurie Cichocki and I will be your child’s 4th grade teacher this year. I’m looking forward to an exciting, productive year working with you and your child. This fall, I will be celebrating six years here at Parkdale in 4th grade! Over the 30+ years that I have been employed here, I have served our East Aurora School District in a variety of roles. I currently teach 4th grade and will be teaming up with Mr. Partisano once again this year to deliver effective instruction in the area of ELA . In the past, I have had the opportunity to teach both 3rd and 5th grade, develop and implement the BOOST enrichment program and most recently contribute to the advancement of our district technology initiatives as our K-12 District Technology Integrator.
After having served as an elementary teacher for my first 13 years in the district, I was awarded a sabbatical, to explore the value of enhancing learning with technology. For nearly a decade (2000-2009), I enjoyed being at the heart of the B.O.O.S.T program (an acronym for Building On Our Students’ Talents) providing curriculum enrichment experiences based on Renzulli's Triad through technology integration for all elementary students K-5. From 2009-2012, I earned the role of Technology Integrator K-12.
At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband and four children (3 sons and a daughter). The past few years have been filled with much joy ! In the fall of 2016, our eldest son got married and he and his wife blessed our family with a beautiful daughter named Emery in December of 2017. Our only daughter exchanged wedding vows in April of 2017 and she and her husband are expecting a baby in August of 2018. I have a dog named Spike (he is a poo-chi/poodle chihuahua) and a cat named Carl.
After having served as an elementary teacher for my first 13 years in the district, I was awarded a sabbatical, to explore the value of enhancing learning with technology. For nearly a decade (2000-2009), I enjoyed being at the heart of the B.O.O.S.T program (an acronym for Building On Our Students’ Talents) providing curriculum enrichment experiences based on Renzulli's Triad through technology integration for all elementary students K-5. From 2009-2012, I earned the role of Technology Integrator K-12.
At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband and four children (3 sons and a daughter). The past few years have been filled with much joy ! In the fall of 2016, our eldest son got married and he and his wife blessed our family with a beautiful daughter named Emery in December of 2017. Our only daughter exchanged wedding vows in April of 2017 and she and her husband are expecting a baby in August of 2018. I have a dog named Spike (he is a poo-chi/poodle chihuahua) and a cat named Carl.
My Favorites:
* Color: Green
* Food: Steak
* Fruit: Raspberries and Watermelon
* Drink: Peppermint and Earl Grey Tea
* Animals: My dog Spike who is a "poo-chi" ( poodle chihuahua) and cats (I particularly am curious about Persian and Maine Coon Cats) I also think Sea Turtles are graceful and beautiful.
* Season: Fall
* Hobbies: Reading, tinkering with technology, working on DIY projects, traveling and hunting for anything vintage! I love finding bargains and one of a kind items at consignment stores and flea markets.
* When I Retire Someday: You will probably find me traveling and continuing to learn new things about the people and the world around me.
* What's most important to me: My family. I also strive to make the most of everyday by learning something new and being open to new possibilities and challenges!
* If money were no object: I'd travel to every continent and as many countries as possible to learn as much as possible about the people and places around me.
When not in the classroom, you can find me sharing my passion for learning and technology.
I have been involved at Canisius College as an adjunct and I have also grown as an educator by presenting at several professional conferences.
Canisius College Digital Days
Catholic Leaders Conference
Niagara Frontier Reading Council (NFRC) Spring Brunch
Lancaster EdTech Conference
Some of the personal/professional accomplishments of which I am most proud:
Organ Donor: I donated my left kidney to my father-in-law in 2006
I have had the opportunity to teach the children of a handful of my former students! (I'm not THAT old yet!)
Recipient of the 2009 Time Warner National Teacher of the Year Award
This national award recognized 15 teachers nationwide for their innovative use of technology in the classroom and for creating meaningful learning experiences for their students.
Recipient of a $24,000 Mobile Technology Teaching and Learning Grant from the East Aurora Educational Foundation (in collaboration with Colleen Kaminski) pursuing an initiative entitled: iThink iPad.
2011 Western New York Writing Project Fellow at Canisius College. The WNYWP (an affiliate of the National Writing Project) is a nation-wide education program that works to improve student writing and thinking.
2011 "Project Voicescape" Participating School Leader (in collaboration with Tom Kegler at the HS)
The endeavor “Project VoiceScape “ was a collaborative venture between WNED, PBS and Adobe Youth Voices encouraging aspiring filmmakers in grades 7-12 to share their views on community issues of importance to them.
K-12 District Technology Integrator 2009-2012
The responsibilities of this role included the modeling the effective use of many technology tools and techniques. In a personalized fashion, I collaborated with colleagues to design projects and activities that embedded the authentic use of technology into the classroom environment. I also designed and lead “in- house/on-demand” professional development for faculty, staff and administration.