Unspoken Heroes of Blakefield: Mary Casalena

Mrs. Mary Casalena is a learning specialist in Murray Learning Services here at Loyola Blakefield. She is part of a team of learning specialists who assist students with learning differences to find success in the classroom. After years of experience deriving from teaching in middle and elementary school settings, Mrs. Casalena was drawn to Loyola because of the school's Jesuit mission and a desire to embrace a new challenge. From the outset, she has impacted the community, quickly becoming an integral part of the Murray team and Loyola community.

 

Among Mrs. Casalena's favorite moments at Loyola, one she would like to highlight is the Fischer program. Fischer is a tuition-free program that provides highly motivated inner-city students of color with robust study skills and focused-approached learning to help prepare them for the school's challenging curriculum. She enjoyed designing lesson plans and creating activities, especially seeing students having fun and progressing through their educational growth and development from when they start and end. She loves to see the positive impact this program has had on the students, and hopes to see traditions like Fischer continue because of how they foster a sense of community and enable personal growth among students.

I chose Mrs. Casalena because of the constant joyful spirit she brings to the community every day. She is always willing to lend a helping hand any time and takes time out of her day to assist students with academic help or worries. Mrs. Casalena day in and day out goes above and beyond for her students and the school community, and I am grateful for her everlasting impact.