BURRILLVILLE – A primary grade trainer who has served the district for some 18 years was named 2026 Instructor of the 12 months by the Burrillville College Division in a shock ceremony on Friday, Might 30.
Heidi Cairo of Austin T. Levy Elementary College accepted the glory surrounded by colleagues, associates, household, and naturally, her college students.
“I’ve at all times needed to be a trainer,” Cairo stated. “The very first classroom that I taught in at Levy was my second grade classroom once I was a 7 12 months previous little lady. I knew that once I turned an grownup, I needed to have the power to impression the lives of a whole class of scholars… if for only one 12 months of their lives.”
Cairo earned a bachelor’s diploma in Human Improvement & Household Research and Early Childhood Training from the College of Rhode Island, and was employed in Burrillville in 2007 as a kindergarten trainer. She moved to first grade at Levy Elementary in 2009, and has remained there since. Simply final 12 months, she was named Levy’s Instructor of the 12 months.
“Heidi Cairo is the type of trainer who’s at all times there once we need assistance, who actually connects with all college students, and who leads not simply with information—however with coronary heart,” stated Levy Principal Monica Tomson.
A member of Nationwide Affiliation for the Training of the Younger Youngster and Kappa Delta Pi- Society of Training Management, Cairo has accomplished ten programs in skilled growth previously 5 years alone, together with Bridge RI coaching; MTSS; Proper to Learn Act-Science of Studying coaching/Dyslexia certification; ELA Lead; HMH Into Studying; Conscience Self-discipline; Eureka Math; Foss Science/Gemsnet; Lexia and SEL Security Care coaching.
She additionally additionally been an energetic participant in each the state and native training neighborhood over time with actions together with serving on the training program accreditation staff for the College of Rhode Island in partnership with New England Fee of Greater Training, and the Rhode Island Faculty re-accreditation staff in 2024. Cairo has been a Burrillville Excessive College CTE Training Pathway mentor and the management coordinator and liaison to the The Feinstein Basis, offering college students with faculty to residence help, and assets and coordination of packages and grants.
Cairo sits on the Levy College Enchancment Crew, and directors notice she attends all neighborhood features associated to the college, together with dances, e-book drives, meals drives, EMS and Nursing residence initiatives and different occasions, and coordinated the Showcase of Studying. She has additionally served as president, vp and board member of the Ponaganset Excessive College Music Affiliation.
She has bee a Rhode Island College cooperating teacher since 2011 and will be a University of Rhode Island Clinical Educator placement for a teacher resident in the coming year.
And her commitment to community doesn’t end in the classroom.
Cairo was Miss RI USA in 2000 and a Miss USA contestant. She is an active member of the Burrillville Rocks group and also took part in Burrillville Animal Shelter project, school leaders noted.
“Heidi Cairo is a consummate professional that continually demonstrates her passion for teaching and her deep commitment to students,” said district Supt. Michael Sollitto. “This can best be stated in her own words as evidenced from her following statement:
‘With a safe, nurturing environment, strong classroom management, and rigorous academic expectations, kids can learn ANYTHING. I refuse to believe anything less. Progress comes from persistence. This is what I have set out to inspire my students to believe as well.’
On behalf of the Burrillville School Department, congratulations Ms. Cairo.”
