Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Elisabeta Greca Honored with Teacher of the Year Award

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School administrators F. Salazar and H. Tmimi presenting the teacher of the year award to Elisabeta Greca/

Albanian-American teacher, Elisabeta Greca, was honored on Wednesday, June 24th with teacher of the year award at New World High School, a high performing school in New York City.

The award was presented by Principal Fausto Salazar. Assistant principal, H. Tmimi said, “As a result to her long-term commitment to our students, to the mission of our school, and to the profession of teaching, we would like to present to Ms. Greca the teacher of the year award.”

Ms. Elisabeta Greca, who holds dual certification in TESOL and English Language Arts, first joined New World High School as a student teacher during the academic year 2007-2008, where she continues to work as a teacher today.

Elisabeta was born and raised in Albania. When she came to the United States, she learned English, enrolled at an undergraduate program, and successfully completed a bachelor degree. She entered a master’s program in TESOL at Hunter College. In the spring of 2008, Elisabeta earned the master’s degree fulfilling all the requirements for a New York State teaching certificate in TESOL; and a few years later, she pursued a second certificate in English Language Arts.

Tmimi said that since she joined New World High School, Ms. Greca has shown a strong commitment to the students, to the school, and to the teaching profession. She always shows a genuine care and respect for her students. In return, her students continually exhibit a love for learning and respect for one another.

Tmimi said that Ms. Greca has participated in many school-wide programs during the school and after school. She served as a member of the ESL/ELA curriculum committee, working closely with other teachers, to align curriculum with the Common Core Standards, while maintaining the curriculum relevant and meaningful to all students.

The award was presented during the graduation ceremony in front of students, parents, and educators.(MG)

Etleva Zeqo (Pazari) Receives the Teacher of the Year Award

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By Mithat Gashi/
Etleva Zeqo (Pazari), an Albanian American teacher and a member of Vatra’s Orlando branch, was honored with the “Teacher of the Year” award by Columbia Elementary School, where she has been working for ten years.
Columbia Elementary is one of the 123 elementary schools of the Orange County Public Schools in Florida, the 10th largest school district in the United States and the fourth largest in Florida, serving about 184,000 students. Columbia Elementary, which honored Mrs. Zeqo on October 3rd, serves about 1,100 students.
Mrs. Zeqo has shown leadership to the school, commitment to her students and to the teaching profession. “The successes, dedication, and enthusiasm of my students make my job meaningful and rewarding,” said Eva. Leading the students to success is Etleva’s motto. She believes in teaching students to work hard and to set and reach goals. Etleva, also known by her nickname Eva, said that her student achievement is enhanced because she engages them in complex thinking; she differentiates instruction to meet the needs of all learners; and she makes content relevant to what students already know.
During the last four years, Mrs. Zeqo has been the fifth grade team leader and has worked collaboratively with other teachers on aligning curriculum to standards, preparing authentic assessments, and looking at student work to make adjustments to instruction.
In her classroom, Mrs. Zeqo proudly displays the Albanian flag next to the flag of the United States. She keeps a collection of her students’ work made with the Albanian flag colors given to her on special occasions. “Lots of memories go through my mind seeing how my students grow, learn, and build self- confidence,” said Eva.
Mrs. Zeqo came to the United States sixteen years ago. She is the mother of three children. Her oldest daughter, Nensi, a recipient of the Vatra Scholarship, is a freshman at Valencia Community College in Olrando, Florida. Amber, a 5th grader, is the Student Council President at Columbia Elementary School; and Eileen attends kindergarten.
Eva Zeqo (Pazari) comes from a prominent Albanian family, counting fourteen consecutive generations of spiritual guides who have devoted themselves to serving God and Country by preaching peace, love, freedom, and justice.
Eva is active in her community. She is a member of the Vatra-the Pan Albanian Federation of America, which was established in Boston in 1912.
Eva’s teaching career started at a middle school in Tirana in 1993. After she taught for a year at the “Hoxha Tasin” middle school, she became an assistant director and translator at Turgut Ozal School, a high performing comprehensive school in Tirana, where Eva worked until 1998.
Prior to joining Columbia Elementary, Eva worked as a preschool teacher at Aloma Kids and Kids Love us in Orlando, Florida.
Etleva Zeqo earned a bachelor degree from Aleksander Xhuvani University in 1993 and a second bachelor’s of science in education with honors (CUM LAUDE) from the University of Central Florida, where she also completed the requirements for the Florida Teacher Certificate.