3/9/09
Jour 61 - McCune
Profile (J. Siino)
Word Count: 770
Incredible Principal gives his all for Students
[Joseph Siino]
[Joseph Siino]
(full profile)
Ever wonder what it would be like to donate your heart and brain … to thousands of kids? The principal of a prekindergarten to 8th grade Catholic school, Joe Siino, of Pittsburg, Calif., has been doing that for a living for over 25 years.
St. Peter Martyr School used to sit between a rundown, weed-filled back lot and a not-so-flattering Pacific Gas and Energy plant. Today, it is surrounded by beautiful houses, a wonderful city park, and a newly renovated downtown area.
Students that attend SPM go through an even sweeter transformation thanks to the very knowledgeable and caring school faculty, led by Siino.
“I always enjoyed teaching and often volunteered in any opportunity I had through college coaching and tutoring students individually and in small groups,” Siino said. He earned a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Economics at St. Mary’s College but, shortly after, changed direction. “After graduation from college I worked briefly with a consulting firm on a part time basis and did substitute teaching in the local public school districts to help pay bills.” He enjoyed teaching so much he pursued his teaching credential and only two years after receiving it, became the vice principal of SPM!
His friends and family were not surprised as his new choice of career, though they did feel that he would have made more money if he were to stay with business. “My family was always supportive. My dad died while I was in high school and my mom raised all of her six children to follow our goals and to be independent.”
Despite his family hardship, Siino continued to make them proud; just five years after teaching he became the school principal at the young age of 28. Since then, he has also received the Mother Seton Award, an honor bestowed by the Oakland Diocese to someone who has made a significant difference through service.
His favorite parts of the job is working with students and watching their educational development, planning and implementing instructional curriculum with his fellow teachers, and meeting and working with the school families.
“Just recently I had a parent tell me how much their child enjoys coming to school and complimenting the atmosphere of the school. It is inspiring to see many of our alumni choosing to bring their children to our school.” Siino says it is very memorable when people tell him that he played a part in helping them become a better person.
He is the epitome of a teacher, Christian leader, and friend. His perfect mix of professionalism and kind-hearted disposition makes him the perfect school principal. SPM 2002 Alumnus, Justin Reynoso remembers, “He taught with his opinion--his heart. He taught in a way that helped us understand what the book was trying to convey.”
I always used to ask Mr. Siino how he kept the name of every single student and their parents, and no matter how busy he was he always had time to listen and talk to any student no matter how important. “He had the characteristics of a model principal; we all respected him,” said Reynoso. Out of all the principals I’ve ever known, Mr. Siino is the only one that I have never heard anyone say anything bad about.
Siino also knows the meaning of hard work. “I try to meet my difficulties head on and with honesty. If I need to get things done I have never been afraid to put in long hours. If I need advice I consult with peers. I also accept that not every problem has a quick fix.”
It is rough trying to balance budgets, collecting tuition, plan and carry out fundraisers, all while teaching; and it is a known fact that a grade school principal’s salary does not come close to the amount of work they put in or the difference they make in a community. “I grew up very simply and never really felt the need to have an excessive amount of things or money. I have always thankful for a job and health benefits.”
The best piece of advice he had ever received was, “ … trust in myself and live each day to the fullest.” He has helped thousands of people, including myself, adopt this principle into their own lives.
Always the same, lovable principal, Siino tells students to take advantage of all the knowledge and wisdom available and to learn and respect life. “Learning does not end at college. Hopefully, it inspires you to be a lifelong learner.” It’s funny how the man who offers this advice is not only a lifelong learner, but a lifelong teacher as well.
-Justin Riray
No comments:
Post a Comment