 Patricia Stosak, a
veteran teacher serving Eli Whitney Elementary
School (Stratford, CT), was nominated for the
Character Spotlight by her colleagues.
Patricia was the first college
graduate in her family to earn a B.S. from Southern
Connecticut State College [University], and a
master’s degree from University of
Bridgeport. She continued her sixth year of
education with St. Joseph, and credits her
family’s influence for instilling her with a
sensitivity to the needs of others.
Patricia’s greatest
character influence came from her maternal
grandparents, who where emigrants from Denmark.
They arrived in Connecticut with very little
money, but a dream to succeed. They enriched her
life daily by displaying the six pillars of
character: trustworthiness, respect, caring,
fairness, responsibility, and citizenship.
"Both grandparents taught me to give
from the heart and to share gifts God gave me.
The ability to teach is his greatest gift to
me," Patricia noted.
Patricia has worked with many
children’s groups always trying to teach the
six pillars of character. She exclaims, "It
comes naturally that I should be serving as the
chairperson of the Character Education Program at
Eli Whitney. The teachers on
this committee are dedicated to making character
education a number one goal at our school."
As one character education
strategy, Eli Whitney students have been
encouraged to participate in service projects. So
many students have been involved that they
created a Character Builders in Action bulletin
board to exhibit their efforts. This display
highlights photographs and descriptions of their
work. The school also awards Character
trophies during a Student of the Month
Assembly.
Patricia is grateful to all the
children, parents, and faculty who work so hard
on a daily basis to live the pillars of
character. Serving as chairperson also allows her
to thank her grandparents who taught her real
values for life. Because of the many people who
have influenced her Patricia has learned to "teach
with my whole heart and soul." We
salute Ms. Stosak for passing on this rich
heritage of character to her students.
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