Hello, and welcome to Mr. Ferrara's 5th grade class. The 2023-2024 school year is my fifth year at West Road, and my 12th year of teaching! I've worked with young people in many different contexts in my career. I've worked with displaced and homeless young people in transitional living. I've also worked at a private school teaching 4th and 5th grade in a combined classroom. I've also worked for Mill Street Loft (now the Art Effect) in directing and coordinating their Project ABLE summer job skills program. All of this experience has allowed me to utilize my skills, and refine them. These experiences have also taught me the importance of educating the whole child, and the importance of including social-emotional goals in every child's educational plan.

I live in Poughkeepsie with my wonderful wife, and my 2-year-old daugther Isabelle (we like to call her Izzy). My daughter will be attending Arthur S May in a few years, so I am very committed to the mission and goals of our school district. I want to help ensure that Arlington is a place where every child can thrive, no matter what their circumstances may be.

I believe that classrooms should be safe, inviting, fun, and engaging spaces, where children can openly share who they are, and embrace the diversity they find in our learning community. I am also one of the equity facilitators of our building, and I run an after-school student equity group for fifth graders.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all this school year! I hope everyone is ready to explore, support each other, and push themselves to be the best version of themselves that they can imagine!