Time & Talent Elaine Fippin – High School
The Elms is truly a home away from home for Elaine Fippin. In her twenty-third year as a teacher of English, speech, and theater, Mrs. Fippin can think of no better place to work. Her students and fellow colleagues continue to inspire her. Along with her esteemed department, Mrs. Fippin is proud of a robust curriculum and many enrichment opportunities. Each year, students in grades seven through twelve enjoy a professional theater production at Great Lakes Theater, and for three years, Great Lakes has brought a traveling production to our own stage. The Elms Speech Team has earned a fine reputation and many accolades during the Fippin era. Certainly Mrs. Fippin can’t forget the plays and musicals that have delighted audiences and brought joy to the director. The Elms community has offered so many professional and artistic opportunities to Mrs. Fippin, and she is genuinely grateful. But in the end, the special students who pass through her classroom door are the enduring blessings; whether quietly and diligently writing essays, or engaging in lively discussions, or rehearsing speeches and plays for the millionth time, students always make Mrs. Fippin want to be the best teacher possible.
Debbie Lorincz – Middle School
When one thinks of the Middle School program at the Elms, most likely, one of the first people you might think of is Mrs. Debbie Lorincz. Debbie has spearheaded the Middle School program for the past 18 years as the Middle School Director. She teaches 7th and 8th grade Social Studies as well as Advanced Placement United States History to juniors. Some of her responsibilities include overseeing Convocation, MS Student Council, and 8th Grade Graduation. She has also organized the “Glory Girls” – 7th and 8th grade volunteers to raise and lower the flag outside the high school office entrance. As part of her Social Studies program, Mrs. Lorincz has incorporated a trip to Williamsburg every other year for her students and parents. She loves working with this age group so much. Debbie finds the students to be enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to learn. She loves being “stuck” in Middle School forever and feels blessed to be part of the Elms community!
Rose Gullo - Preschool
Rose Gullo is currently in her 21st year of teaching Pre-school at Our Lady of the Elms. She believes she was destined to be an Elms teacher and has loved each of her years here on campus. When she was four years old, her cousin Grace Musci Marcotte from the class of 1957 used to bring her to visit the Sisters at the Convent. Although she still wishes she had the opportunity to have attended the Elms as a student, she considers herself privileged to teach the young girls and boys in the Elms Pre-school. She especially loves witnessing them grow into fine young ladies as they pray at Mass, compete in a CYO sport, and perform in the school plays. To Rose, there is nothing better than hearing of the success her past students experience in high school and college. Rose shares a special moment that captures the happiness teaching at the Elms has brought her: “I was especially touched one day when I was Christmas shopping at Summit Mall and I was stopped by one of my current Pre-school students and then another “Pre-schooler” who was a freshman at Loyola University in Chicago. She saw me and reintroduced herself after 16 years. Wow! I love the Elms!”
Judi Buzzi- Elementary School
When Judi Buzzi was a child she thought she’d be anything but a teacher. Her career aspirations seemed to change with the wind but in reality it was tied to whatever book she was enthralled with at the time. Books and children have been her lifelines from her earliest memories. Our Lady of the Elms has been Judi’s home over the last four years. It has been and continues to be a nurturing and collaborative environment in which she been able to put her personal and professional beliefs into daily practice. As an educator, she feels she has been blessed with many opportunities and challenges. Her professional journey started simply here in Akron with Head Start and then on to Washington where she worked in a public school with many social challenges and limited resources. After teaching for six years, her mother challenged her to enter a masters program. It was with her encouragement that Judi attended Harvard University. Her experiences there enabled her to return to Washington and work for Communities and Schools, Inc. as the Director of Training. In this position, Judi came to see the importance of enabling children to see themselves as learners. She never imagined that her work as a teacher would take her from a kindergarten classroom to Harvard and then the White House. She is proud to say that she helped to expand the America Reads and DC Reads programs. When Judi decided to return home to Akron, she found a position at University of Akron. When funding for her position ended, Judi wanted to return to the classroom and the Elms offered her a position. Children and books...back to her lifelines and true love. In Judi’s own words: “I am grateful to be in a place which values children, celebrates learning, reflects on practice, and encourages questioning.” We are grateful she is here at The Elms as well.
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