Jenna Malanga
Jenna Malanga is the second-grade teacher at Notre Dame Academy. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Staten Island and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Wagner College. Jenna attended private, Catholic school throughout her elementary and high school careers. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has instilled the knowledge, character, and faith that she not only lives by every day, but that is also at the heart of her teaching.
Second grade is such an exciting year. Students grow both academically and socially. One of the things the children love most about second grade is exploring chapter books, like Charlotte’s Web and using reading skills and strategies to become more fluent readers. They not only enjoy learning to write in cursive, but they also use the writing process to transform their simple ideas into creative writing pieces. Students particularly enjoy writing persuasive letters to parents. Through research reports, they learn how they have a direct impact on the people, animals, and environments around them, and they inquire about ways they can better their world. In math, they use hands-on activities and manipulatives to acquire an array of tools and strategies. This enables them to tackle the most challenging problems with confidence and understanding. Second graders gain critical thinking skills through fairy tale inspired STEM challenges. They are introduced to coding with iPad apps. and programming with Spheros, robotic toys which use digital apps.
In addition to academics, second graders are challenged to become better citizens, and they look forward to class meetings. During this time they are given the opportunity to breathe, meditate, and discuss. By highlighting each other’s good deeds and discussing their conflicts, the students are given the skills they need to show compassion, understanding, and empathy towards others. Through role play, they are able to solve problems and find ideal ways to communicate with each other.
Jenna strives to create a safe, nurturing, and encouraging environment in which her students can explore the world around them, recognize their unique skills, and work hard to reach their greatest potential. She enjoys watching her students learn and grow and loves how excited they become when they grasp new concepts and master the skills they have been working on. As a teacher, Jenna believes you never stop learning, and she embraces every opportunity to learn along with her students.
