Sal Urso Selected To Be Berlin's Teacher of the Year
Photograph by K. Cormack
Sal Urso began his teaching career in Berlin at Willard Elementary School in 1991 in grade four and moved to grade five for the next two years. In 1994 he transferred to Catherine M. McGee Middle School to teach science and math.
Mr. Urso is presently an eighth grade science teacher, science department chairperson, and team co-leader. He is a strong, energetic team member and takes on responsibilities of co-chairing daily team meetings, organizing field trips and activities. setting up and facilitating parent meetings, helping staff with interdisciplinary units, writing grant proposals, and other leadership tasks. He is a member of McGee's Leadership Council. He has participated on numerous teacher interviewing committees and curriculum committees, as well as the Mentor and BEST programs. Sal is very active in co-curricular activities, coaching high school and middle school wrestling and middle school basketball.
Sal is presently a participant in the two year Teacher Leadership Consortium sponsored by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). He has had extensive training in the "Understanding by Design" curriculum model and is presently working on an interdisciplinary unit using this model.
Sal has devoted his file to working with young adolescents in the classroom, on the playing field and out in the community. He is an outstanding role model and has a sincere concern for the progress and welfare of students. People say in teaching you are always "on stage," and for Sal this continues on the weekends and nights. In addition to seeing Sal perform in the classroom, you may also hear him on stage tooting his horn as a founding member of the Hartford Advocate's number-one-rated band in Connecticut, Locomotion.
Mr. Urso is a consummate professional who is respected by both his colleagues and students. He is a credit to our entire community.
Adapted from "Special Announcement" May 7, 2004, by Richard J. Paskiewicz, Superintendent of Berlin Public Schools
June 30, 2004
