Quotes from Administrators & Colleagues:
"Dani’s classroom is always buzzing with activity. Whenever I need a smile, I stop by to see students measuring, collaborating, explaining..... inquiry at its best!” - Nikki Barratt, STEM and Science Coordinator at ISP
"Dani’s approach to classroom teaching and student instruction is as current and educationally sound as I’ve ever seen. She is a master at differentiation and has a knack of meeting students where they are, and finding ways to reach them so that learning can occur. She truly cares about the faces in front of her and her passion for education is apparent in everything she does. To put it succinctly, Dani is an absolute gem!"-Dan Kerr, Past Principal SCIS
One of the many things I love about Dani D's teaching style is her inclusiveness: she wants to include everyone, from the shiest ESOL student in my visiting Grade 5 class to the most effervescent Eighth-grader who is engrossed in the dissecting of a rat - to include ALL of them in her excitement about understanding how things work. I'm equally impressed with the way Dani seamlessly melds her passion for Science - the knowledge, the information - with her larger sense of values: the value and respect for ALL life, the importance of engaging all students, and the drive for deeper understanding. She is a remarkable teacher and I was honored and awed to participate in her lessons. - Bernie Lawrence, Past Colleague at SCIS
"I learned so much from Dani, in both a professional and deeply human sense. She is an inspiring colleague and a true friend who amazed me constantly with her stamina, integrity, knowledge, thoroughness, respect for differences, her kindness and probably most of all - her genuine passion for her students, teaching, and doing the right thing!" - Vlatka Blagus, Past Colleague at AISZ
Quotes from Students:
"I think that Ms. D. is an amazing teacher with great techniques to get the message across. She has helped with so many things for leadership and helps the school in many different ways. It was terrific having her as a teacher for 2 years." - Henry John Verhelst, ISP
"Ms.D (Dani) did not only teach me science, she taught me to love science; She taught me to care." - Esteban Pineros, Past Student at Lincoln Community School
"Ms. D truly inspired my interest in the sciences. She went the extra step to help me understand the lesson while having fun. Ms. D remains one of my favorite teachers!" - Martha Reiter Shapiro, Past Student at MKA
"Dani, or "Ms. D", represents one of the best teachers I've personally encountered in academics. She implores young minds to think outside of the box and then later inspires those same young adults to seek out new opportunities and explore worlds beyond their doorsteps. An exemplary educator, she is both a mentor and a friend to all." - Jamie Webber, Past Student at Overlake
"Ms. D.'s HUGE passion for science was always so contagious! And she never failed to explain concepts with her spontaneous and exciting way of teaching." - Ilona Salim, Past Student at SCIS
"Ms. DiPietro helped me learn who I am. She gave me the confidence to be me… and, if that weren't enough… she taught me 6th and 8th grade science too. She did all this by teaching me my way, not hers. Ms. DiPietro is unquestionably the most influential teacher I have ever had the pleasure of learning from." - Neil Grabowsky, Past Student at MKA
Quotes from Parents:
"The first time that we met Ms. D we were blown away by her enthusiasm and great sense of humor. Throughout the two years that she taught our son, she managed to generate in him a keen interest in learning science." - Maria McReddie & Alexis Tahta, ISP
"Dani was our school's Middle School science teacher, but her love for science and people made it feel like she was the whole school's science teacher. Dani shared her knowledge in all kinds of ways, helped in classes whenever asked and even made special presentations across the grade levels. All the students in the school knew Dani and felt her energy for learning." - Kathi Crnicki, AISZ
"During our international assignments, our daughter, Courtney, has attended three different schools and has been taught by four different science teachers. Dani DiPietro far outshone Courtney’s other teachers. She is the most dedicated, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and available science teacher Courtney has had. Because Dani truly wants her students to learn and love science, she wholeheartedly works with her students and their parents to help them. We would consider Dani an asset to any school." – Jim & Lynn Kessler, AISZ
"Dani DiPietro sparked a love of science in the kids. We heard many exciting stories about what they were learning in class from Ms. D nearly every day. They shared not only the excitement, but they could accurately describe what they had learned from the day's lesson. As a parent, I was truly sorry to see Dani leave, but profoundly grateful she stayed long enough to teach both my kids!" - Paula Butzi, Overlake