Musketeer Monday Part Two: Lori Pisano

Welcome to Musketeer Monday, a weekly series in which we feature students and staff around the Central Islip School District. If you’re interested in nominating a fellow Musketeer, please click the link below to submit your nomination:

Musketeer Monday Form

Musketeer Monday: Lori Pisano, 6th Grade Teaching Assistant, Mulligan Elementary School

Q: School / Grade / Subject(s) Taught / Area of Work
A: I am a 6th grade Teaching Assistant at Mulligan.

Q: How many years of experience in education / teaching / current field do you have?
A: I have 25 years of experience in education.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in education (or your current field)?
A: I always wanted to work in education. I had some great teachers growing up who I still remember to this day.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of this school/district community?
A: I enjoy the camaraderie I feel every day with the people I work with. I also love being able to work with people I went to school with and lived near.

Q: What do you consider the most rewarding part of your job?
A: The most rewarding part is seeing the progress students make from the beginning of the year to the end.

Q: What are a few memorable moments you’ve had with students or colleagues?
A: I once had a first-grade student who could write his name but could not identify the letters. I worked closely with him throughout the year, and on the last day of school I asked him to spell his name. He was able to do it, and I was so proud of him. Three years later, I was in a different building and he ended up in my fourth-grade class. He had grown so much, and by the end of the year he moved into an inclusion class. It was amazing to see his progress.

Q: Please list a teacher or staff member that has made a positive impact on you in this district and explain why.
A: I can’t name just one person. Doing so would be a disservice to everyone who has mentored, taught, and supported me throughout my 25 years. I’m grateful to everyone who has been there for me and continues to be there.

Q: What’s your favorite event or tradition in our schools?
A: The Senior Walkthrough has become my favorite tradition. It’s special to see students I had in kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade finishing high school and beginning their futures.

Q: Where did you grow up / go to school?
A: I moved from the Bronx when I was 12 years old. I attended Mulligan for junior high and then Central Islip High School.

Q: Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV show? Tell us about them!
A: I’m an avid reader and enjoy many genres, from love stories and murder mysteries to historical fiction about World War II. I’m also a big fan of reality TV shows like Big Brother, Survivor, and recently The Traitors. Thank goodness for the DVR!

Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto you live by?
A: After working with kindergarten and first-grade students for 17 years, my favorite quote was always: “You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”

Q: What are some activities you do in your spare time outside of school?
A: I enjoy reading and going to the beach in the summer. I also love ice hockey and spent many weekends traveling with my son to games and tournaments.

Q: If you could have dinner with any historical figure or celebrity, who would it be?
A: I would choose Sylvester Stallone. Rocky has always been my favorite movie, and he was my first teenage crush.

Q: If you weren’t in education or the field you're in now, what career would you choose?
A: I’ve never really thought about it.

Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list (travel, skill, experience)?
A: I would love to travel more. I’ve visited some islands, but I would really like to go to Europe—Italy would be my first stop.