The freshmen aren’t the only new faces at York this year; the high school has gained many new teachers.  The Dukes welcome Sylwia Zalewska, who will be teaching 5 math classes; including ELL Algebra A and B, Algebra A, and Algebra AB.

Zalewska graduated from DePaul University with her Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education. She currently is pursuing her Masters in curriculum and instruction in English Language Learner (ELL).

“I moved to York to pursue my work with ELL students,” said Zalewska. “Upon coming to America in first grade, I always wanted to work with bilingual students upon struggling through grammar school and not understanding the language”.  

Zalewska is personally motivated by her ELL students and their passion to learn, as she has experience with the struggles of ELL education. She moved from Poland when she was in first grade and prospered. Her goal is to motivate students into being the best student and person possible.

“I was the first in my family to go to college,” said Zalewska. “I wanted to make a difference and inspire an older audience to do community work.”

Zalewska isn’t a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of teacher either. She leads by example in her personal life. She is very dedicated to community service organizations, and is actively involved in Kiwanis, Dreams for Kids, and Adopt a Kid, as well as volunteer work at several inner city tutoring programs. Because of her experience, she has been offered a chance to help with York’s Key Club.

The Math Department has shown incredible support and encouragement regarding Zalewska’s involvement.

“I am so excited for the support I have received on all ends and am continuing to receive from all teachers not only in my department but the entire school as a whole,” said Zalewska. “Everyone has been so supportive and encourages trying new things to create a rich learning environment.”

Zalewska plans to use all of their support to further the potential of all students to learn, and is passionate about their education and her role in it. She hopes to refine and perfect her teaching method when related to ELL students.

“My teaching method is primarily focused on differentiation and adjusts with the need of my students. Meanwhile, I believe teaching my students interests motivates them to achieve greatness and by relating to prior knowledge, they can build bridges,” said Zalewska. “As Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘when effecting renewal, call on the past, relate it to the present, and then use them both to create a link to the future’.”

York has welcomed her and her goals with open arms and encouraging smiles. Zalewska has come to York in hopes of improving her students, the math department, and herself, and she already has begun to feel at home.