Teacher at Cuffee charter school wins Milken award

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Sometimes, it's the little things that make a teacher successful.

Emily Caldarelli, a fourth-grade teacher at Paul Cuffee Charter School, has organized special lunches for children who wear glasses and set up monthly meetings for fourth-grade girls to discuss issues close to their hearts. She regularly attends her students' cello concerts and martial arts competitions.

She keeps in touch with parents through letters, phone calls and emails.

"I like to know their lives outside of the classroom," she said. 

So it's no wonder that Caldarelli received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award during a surprise ceremony Tuesday at Cuffee. Called the Oscars of teaching by Teacher Magazine, only 35 Milken Awards were presented nationwide this year and Caldarelli was the only Rhode Island recipient. 

Caldarelli, who is 34 and lives in Providence, is on maternity leave this year with her baby daughter, Sylvia.

At Tuesday's ceremony, state education Commissioner Ken Wagner said Caldarelli represents "What's best about the thousands of teachers in Rhode Island's public schools," adding that she introduced a science curriculum that links the school's teachers to those at the University of Rhode Island. 

“In Emily Caldarelli’s fourth-grade classroom, every child is engaged, active, and eager to share ideas,” said Barbara Cottam, chairwoman of the Rhode Island Board of Education. “She knows that each of us is different, and she and her students celebrate their differences. She holds high expectations for her students while being flexible and creative enough to meet each student’s needs. We’re proud to have Emily Caldarelli as one of our great teachers.”

Caldarelli comes from a family of teachers and said she always wanted to become one.

"I love watching kids have an "aha!" moment after they have worked really hard," she said. "That's what we live for. I like providing kids with a safe haven. I like the relationships with fellow workers."

Caldarelli serves on the School Improvement Team and the Climate and Culture Committee. She is seen as the liaison between teachers and administrators, and mentors new teachers.

She said she has no idea what she will do with the $25,000.

"I'm still in complete shock," she said.

Previous recipients have used their awards to pay for dream field trips, establish scholarships or further their own professional advancement.

Candidates are selected through a confidential process and reviewed by panels appointed by state departments of education. Final approval comes from the Milken Family Foundation.

- lborg@providencejournal.com

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