News Post
Celebrating Teachers of the Year: Aronstam & Kaminski
Math teacher Bob Aronstam & Director of Academic Support Kerry Kaminski were nominated by their peers as Visitation's Teachers of the Year. These awards were established by the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools to recognize the devotion of veteran and novice Catholic secondary school teachers. The awards celebrate faithful service, excellence, best practices, and innovations in Catholic secondary school teaching.
Students heard the news at Founders Day yesterday, giving both educators a standing ovation.
For 15 years, Bob Aronstam has been a loyal, reliable, and hardworking member of the Visitation math department, teaching almost every math class the school offers. From freshmen to seniors, Geometry to AP Statistics, he has helped countless students learn and love math. An MIT graduate, he challenges students to stretch beyond simple memorization and formulaic procedures, to really understand concepts and use them. Gentle and thoughtful, he has a gift for connecting with students and helping them do their best work.
Colleagues laud him as an open-minded and creative educator who seeks out new teaching approaches, putting the needs of his students first. Bob is a flexible team player who is always willing to pitch in where the department needs him most. When not in the classroom, Bob also shares his incredible photography skills with the community. A busy father of two young boys, Bob nonetheless always makes time for students and colleagues alike, demonstrating his favorite Little Virtue of kindness in all his interactions. Visitation is truly blessed to have such a gifted, caring, and steadfast teacher. Kudos and thank you, Bob!
Endlessly patient, creative, thoughtful, and generous, Kerry Kaminski is the type of teacher every parent would like for their child. Of her work, Kerry shared: “Every child is someone’s miracle. I treat them as such, one conversation at a time. Praise their wisdom, their fortitude, their pursuit of knowledge. Acknowledge the gift that they are, every chance I have. When they fall short, work to bring them back to themselves, and to their full potential in the eyes of God.” This deep faith, unwavering belief in each child’s potential, and embrace of the beauty of the diversity of our community infuses everything Kerry does at Visitation.
While she has only been at Visitation a few years - a fact that is hard to believe given how deeply invested she is in the community and how extensively she collaborates with colleagues all over campus - she brings two decades of experience to her work, employing evidence-based practices to reach and serve all students. In the garden of our community, Kerry is a gardener, tending to the differing needs of colleagues and students alike, helping each bloom to their full potential. She truly appreciates each individual and their unique gifts, always assuming the best in people. Brava, Kerry - thank you!