MANSFIELD — Paolo DeMaria, Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction, walked the halls of Mansfield Spanish Immersion School Wednesday afternoon with a smile on his face.
He journeyed to the school to learn more about its success on state tests and report cards.
“It’s outstanding,” DeMaria said. “We are constantly wanting to go out and celebrate schools across the entire spectrum. Every school is different. I think there is so much to be said to that because they meet the needs of the students and the team of teachers to accomplish with such care and desire… to equip them with what they need to succeed.
“It’s always very fulfilling for me to see it.”
DeMaria was shown around the school by Mansfield City Schools Superintendent Brian Garverick, Vice President of the Mansfield School Board Renda Cline, and Spanish Immersion principal Gabe Costa.
“It’s nice of him to come and take time out of his busy day to see what’s going on in Mansfield and all of our public schools. That’s what keeps superintendents — even myself — in touch with the classrooms,” Garverick said. “Spanish Immersion has a track record of closing the achievement gap. You always want to look at those models, whatever works in our schools to close the gap.
“It’s quite an honor, actually, to have him take time out of his day to come visit us.”
DeMaria wandered to several classes. In one, he watched a Kindergarten class sing songs about physical feelings such as being “hambriento” or “casado” meaning hungry or tired.
In a math class, he counted along in Spanish to 68.
Perhaps his favorite observation was when he listened to students discuss things they knew about Dr. Martin Luther King.Â
In this class, students told their teacher, in Spanish, things they knew about King, including his fight for equality. Then students were separated by colors on their clothing. The teacher told the students she only liked students wearing gray, keeping students wearing the color in the front of the class. Others sat in the back of the room.
One student said, in Spanish, it shouldn’t matter what color of clothing is worn because everyone is equal.
“It’s fun,” the state superintendent said. “Students talking about Martin Luther King in Spanish. Talking about injustice, talking about skin differences and doing it in a foreign language. They’re brains are working double time, and yet you couldn’t see any of them particularly stressed or disoriented. It just goes to show you there are so many ways students can learn.
“I’m always amazed or surprised, although, I shouldn’t be, that students will always exceed our expectations. It’s a beautiful thing.”
