carol leongini

Blessed Sacrament Teacher Makes Learning Fun

By Henrietta Gomes
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 1/25/07)

Every day Carol Leongini looks forward to the smiles on the faces of her students. “It’s fun to see their excitement and joy,” said the second-grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Alexandria. Leongini has been teaching at the school for the last 22 years. “They’re happy kids and they love learning new things,” said the educator, who approaches each day with the same spirit of excitement.
Being a second-grade teacher, however, is no small undertaking. Leongini’s students’ receive their first Holy Communion in the spring. “Teaching the sacraments is a big responsibility,” said the lifelong Catholic who constantly relies on her own faith and prayer life when teaching. Sometimes she finds herself standing in front of the classroom explaining Church teaching on the Eucharist, and the “Holy Spirit comes right through and guides me to say the right thing,” she said with a sense of awe. Out of all the classes Leongini teaches, religion is the most important, she explained, adding, “I incorporate religion in all other subjects.” Her students understand the importance of faith and prayer as the entire school meets every Friday to pray the rosary together, said the native of New York, who was raised in Maryland.
Although no day is ever predictable, one thing is for sure. The time goes by very quickly, she said, recounting her full day with 28 seven-year-olds. Having a full-time teacher’s aide is an added benefit in the classroom, noted Leongini.
Her experience gives her the ability to be “more compassionate and understanding of what the students go through,” said Leongini, who often shares her own childhood stories with her students to better relate to them. Leongini, who has been married for 42 years, has five children and two grandchildren. A parishioner of St. Rita in Alexandria since 1979, she is an avid reader, who also enjoys swimming and cooking.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is seeing her students grow and achieve their various goals. Like all the other teachers in the school, Leongini attends the eighth-grade graduation ceremony at the end of every school year. Many of the graduating eighth-graders were once eager little children in her second-grade class. It brings her a sense of satisfaction to see that they have maintained high grade point averages, received awards, and are now transitioning into high school, she said. Once the students leave Blessed Sacrament school, however, they do not bid a permanent farewell. “My students come back to visit,” she said. The school’s current physical education teacher also happens to be one of Leongini’s former students.
Leongini loves being a part of the Blessed Sacrament School family. “The students receive a real quality education,” she said. Praising her co-workers she said, “Teachers here are very dedicated.” Leongini also noted the support and helpfulness of the parents.
“I enjoy going to work everyday,” she said, with a smile, adding, “I try and make learning fun.” As paper doves with hand written prayer intentions dangled from the ceiling over her head, Leongini glanced around her classroom with a look of contentment. All in all, she said, “It’s a real treat to teach them.”