
6 minute read
Mancinellli’s Start Healing Together College advice from a
By ARIANNA MORALES ‘22 Co-Editor-in-Chief
For twelve years of their education, students meet new teachers and with that, new guides on the journey to fi nd themselves: to learn, to uncover their calling, and to let it grow. However, in order to guide others they must fi rst be guided themselves. This leads to the question: Why do teachers teach? It’s certainly not for the money. I interviewed Mrs. Pagenkopf, an AP Biology and Chemistry teacher on why she became a teacher and why she has decided this was to be her last year of teaching. Nearly three decades into her career, the pandemic, as with many other factors, unexpectedly changed her perspective of her career. She said, “It took the wind right out of my sails.” However, long before then, it seems the stars aligned for her to teach. “Everyone told me I should be [a teacher].” It was because of her natural affi nity for working with kids and the ideal “people” personality. Furthermore, high school teens offered the perfect inbetween of ‘neediness’ and natural amiability. “I guess they were just more willing to have a conversation back and forth—that sparks me to teach differently.” She found her start at Oakbrooke for 14 years as a General science teacher, but it wasn’t the most optimistic start. “When I fi rst started teaching, I didn’t like it at all…my fi rst couple years were pretty bad.”
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Then after 14 years, the school district dissolved, leaving teachers with limited choices to stay or leave. “When it came to me, I didn’t have a choice to stay at Overbrook. Otherwise, I would have stayed there…So I went to Winslow and I had taken a maternity leave during that year…I went back for permanent subbing which turned into a full time job and then I… left and came [to Eastern].” Her time at Eastern started in the middle of a normal school year. She replaced a chemistry teacher after winter break and quickly chose to stay. “I love the student body… they’re diverse, they’re respectful,” she said. Then in the span of another 14 years she taught various levels of chemistry and biology, encouraging others to learn about the invisible intricacies of life that make up the visible wonders we call reality. She found the Goldilocks zone: “When I got to start teaching AP Bio, and could see that there were kids out there that were passionate about learning, as much as I, they kind of “I love that every day fed me to be a better teacher,
I have a different and [I] really started to love subject to teach, a my career.” different topic to teach. Then the years fl ew by,
I love that.” every day excited to teach the eager with a new topic. Now, after nearly 30 years of touching the hearts of many young scientists she noted that she knew it was her time to go. Factors beyond the pandemic, like her daughter graduating, her health and wanting to fulfi ll her bucket list, she felt it was time to draw this chapter to a close. In her new free time she plans to ride her horse, care for older family members, and Mrs. Pagenkopf teaches biotechnology to her AP Bio class.
Photo by Arianna Morales ‘22
of course take plenty of vacations during the other three seasons. “I’m just gonna enjoy myself,” she said. She’s had an amazing career and she notes how even though she wasn’t able to personally know all of her students yet she said her “heart bleeds for so many of them.” Eastern appreciates the work you’ve done for so many students for nearly a generation. In refl ection of her journey she knew it was the kids that always brought her back and kept her going. “The kids are what make me come back. And just wanting to teach and inspire students to want to learn” I wish I could know them all on a more personal level, but it’s just something you don’t always have time to do.” Despite so little time, she still touched the hearts and minds of many students. Thank you, Mrs. Pagenkopf for helping so many use their curiosities to study the delicate balances of the environment, and leave your class knowing there’s always hope to make it better.
Courses Taught @ Eastern:
Accelerated Chemistry Honors Chemistry Accelerated Biology Honors Biology AP Biology Thank You Mrs. Pagenkopf!

Start Healing Together: A tale of grief and growth
By KAITLIN SWIFT ‘24 Staff Reporter
Grief is one of the most diffi cult emotions anyone can experience. It’s full of sadness and sorrow, and without a proper support system in your life, it can seem nearly impossible to cope with loss. Mrs. Mancinelli is one of Eastern’s remarkable English teachers. She has been working at Eastern for close to eight years now, and aids students in fi nding ways to give back to the community. When Mrs. Mancinelli lost her infant son Richard from a miscarriage, she was heartbroken. Pregnancy loss and infertility are very common, with 1 in 4 women experiencing pregnancy loss, and 1 in 8 experiencing infertility. However, many women don’t know what resources there are to help them after experiencing a miscarriage or a stillbirth, due to the lack of information exposed to the general public. Mrs. Mancinelli launched Start Healing Together after attending a workshop offered by the NJEA, where she was informed that a bereavement leave could be used on a loss such as a miscarriage or a stillbirth. “I was unaware of this option. I experienced a miscarriage and an infant loss, but I never thought to ask for certain supports from my workplace. I fi gured that I could not have been the only teacher in the U.S. to feel this way, so I launched my organization as a way to support educators like myself,” said Mancinelli. Start Healing Together’s mission statement is to champion member advocacy by providing information, instruction, and support to help alleviate the stigmas surrounding pregnancy loss and infertility. “The goal for our organization is trifold: to make members aware of their rights, to offer emotional support, and to direct them to helpful resources,” said Mancinelli. Since Start Healing Together’s beginning in 2016, Mancinelli has accomplished her goal and more. Start Healing Together works with teachers’ unions and administrators to ensure that the educator is supported when returning to work. This includes breaking the news to students in an age-appropriate manner, giving tips to coworkers on how to provide support and navigate diffi cult conversations, and helping to set up a strong support system for the grieving staff member. “In the past year, I have published eight articles, done three podcast interviews, shared twenty-two educator stories, established eight Start Healing Together chapters, established the organization in six states, partnered with twelve organizations/non-profi ts, and launched a threepart family building workshop series with the NJEA,” said Mancinelli. While Mancinelli may be the face of the organization, Mr. Kemery, the Vice President and Senior Advocate, helps to do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work of Start Healing Together. Mancinelli and Kemery’s goal for Start Healing together this year is to establish chapters throughout New Jersey and train senior advocates to support them in the future. They do the majority of the work for the organization, and helping others has given Mancinelli a chance to heal after the loss of her son.

For more information, visit the links below:
Website:
https://www.starthealingtogether.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ starthealingtogether
@starthealingtogether
Facebook:
@starthealingtogethersupport

