Maria Arcodia 1st Grade Teacher

Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award Winners

Maria Arcodia, 1st Grade Teacher at Brooklyn Arbor Public School

Maria Arcodia is a first-grade teacher and an accredited Orton-Gillingham Associate practitioner at Brooklyn Arbor, a New York City public school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She is passionate about supporting all students, particularly individuals with dyslexia, as they begin their journey toward literacy acquisition. Maya Angelou's words of wisdom, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." beautifully summarizes Maria's path in pedagogy. She advocates for her students and implores other teachers, parents, and administrators to do the same.

After witnessing how Learning Ally changed her son's life and academic trajectory, she sought out a school subscription with the help of her class parent and the DonorsChoose.org community. As the Learning Ally coordinator, Maria has led workshops for her colleagues, students across all grade levels, and their parents, to teach them how to integrate Learning Ally as an assistive technology tool to allow students to access the curriculum fully.

After 17 years as a general education teacher, Maria is currently pursuing certification in special education to increase her awareness and pedagogical practice. She is also working towards her Certified practitioner accreditation with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.