Franklin Square teacher brings technological advancements into classroom

From a young age, Franklin Square native Jean D’Aurio knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Today, she walks the same school halls as a teacher that she did as a student growing up.

D’Aurio, who has taught in the Franklin Square School District for the past eight years, has strongly believed in incorporating technology into classroom instruction, particularly when it comes to helping special needs children to learn.

As a result, the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, and the Nassau Association of School Technologists, or NASTECH, recently recognized D’Aurio for advancing the use of technology in education. She was honored at NASTECH’s fifth annual awards ceremony held at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale on Aug. 10.

For the past seven years, D’Aurio has worked with sixth-grade special needs students at John Street School, after having taught at Polk Street School and Washington Street School.

With such a technology affluent world, D’Aurio said she believes that teaching students how to use technology appropriately is important.

“I think it’s super beneficial, especially with the population I work with,” D’Aurio said. “There’s a lot of accessibility features on their iPads and stuff that can help them in their real world life.”

Features like voice instruction or reading accessibility on technology can help those with special needs accomplish everyday tasks they might otherwise struggle with.

She said one of her students struggled with a severe case of dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects the ability to process speech sounds and how they relate to letters and words. She said students that are dyslexic usually have a high level of comprehension, but this student was unable to read books because of this learning disorder.

“Getting them set up with audio books, how to use them, and getting them exposed to more literature that they weren’t able to get exposed to before, I think that’s been one of my highlights with the students,” she said.

D’Aurio earned a Masters degree in education technology from SUNY Buffalo in 2018, which came in handy when schools switched to virtual instruction during the pandemic.

“That’s when the education world got thrown on its head in terms of technology,” D’Aurio said. “Everyone really needed to immerse themselves in it.”

Described as a tireless educator, D’Aurio continues to introduce new technology and programs to her students. She is available for colleagues and students as the go-to person for technology questions in Franklin Square as a technology mentor, and is one of nine mentors throughout the district, with three mentors stationed at each school.

“Jean D’Aurio is an exemplary teacher, technology mentor and asset to the Franklin Square community,” said Casey Hauptman, the school district’s director of technology, innovation and data systems, who nominated D’Aurio for the award. “Her dedication to students with disabilities is matched only by her commitment to empowering her fellow educators. Her collaborative spirit and technological expertise have had a profound impact on the success of students and staff alike.”

In her role as a technology mentor, D’Aurio also helps other educators learn how to implement new technology initiatives introduced to the district by Hauptman.

NASTECH award recipients are selected for the honor by their school districts, and the awards were created to recognize educators for their technological initiative, leadership and innovation.

At this year’s ceremony, 27 educators were honored for their achievements.

“I was very honored that they thought of me, and I was very grateful that Casey gave me the opportunity to meet all of those people and be a part of that day,” D’Aurio said.

D’Aurio was inspired by her educators in the district and by her cousins, who went into the same career field.

In high school, D’Aurio worked at a local daycare, which strengthened her desire to work with children.

“That kind of just solidified that I wanted to be in that field,” she said.

She began as a substitute teacher when she graduated from Mount Saint Mary College in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and childhood special education. She helps in co-teach classrooms and splits her days between two classrooms, where she helps with general education instruction. For students that need some extra help, D’Aurio works in smaller groups to provide support.