Long Valley Charter School has been such a big part of Misty Brussatoi’s life that she thinks of the people who work there as family. Brussatoi attended school at Long Valley from second grade until she graduated, and a sense of community brought her back. Today, she works as a first-grade teacher at the school’s Doyle classroom-based program, working sideby side with some of the people who taught her when she was a student. Her two children also attend Long Valley.

 

“Being a parent and a student here — with my children having the same teachers that I had — there’s a real comfort in that,” Brussatoi says. “You know they’re going to get the same education that you got. The teachers here are all united in working together to better the education of our kids.”

 

Due to the small class sizes of only about 15-25 students per classroom, teachers set curriculum for each student individually. This allows students to work at their own pace and learn through their strengths. Brussatoi says the students have more drive when they can work at their level because they are not frustrated or unchallenged. Because Brussatoi witnessed the dedication of the teachers first-hand when she was a student, she was inspired to become one herself. To Brussatoi, the teachers are what set the school apart, and she often collaborates with them.

 

“If I have any questions, I can always go to the other teachers and they’re always willing to help me,” Brussatoi says. “I’ve had great mentors over the years.”

 

In the seven years she has worked as a teacher at Long Valley, Brussatoi says she especially enjoys working with the parents and her peers. Brussatoi says teachers are available to speak with parents and address any concerns they may have. As a result, parents have a lot of trust in the teachers at Long Valley.

 

“Teachers at our school are truly there to meet all the needs of every student,” Brussatoi says. “If a student left their lunch at home, we can let the parents know instantly through email or text message and ask them what they want to do. And parents don’t hesitate to call us and ask to meet. They are pretty comfortable with us and the lines of communication we have to get in touch with us.”