WOODBURY — An off-white glow from strung-up Christmas lights with a cozy and calm atmosphere is not a common sight to see when you walk into a classroom, but it sets a familiar familial tone that Nonnewaug English teacher Marisa Holtman prefers.
“There’s a need to make kids feel comfortable and safe in a class,” said Holtman, “and when you’re with family, most people feel that.”
Plenty of students who’ve attended her classes have grown to feel and appreciate the environment Holtman shares with her students, an environment that breeds comfort and creativity.
“It’s a great class to be in, and Mrs. Holtman’s a great teacher,” said Nonnewaug senior Luke Tarini.
Tarini isn’t the only student who commends Holtman as a teacher.
“She helps me out with the assignments she gives, unlike other teachers I know,” said senior English student Jason Eyring. “She kind of acts like it’s an assignment given by another teacher and it makes her be informative with whatever the problem is.”
Holtman is not only able to create a helpful, homey atmosphere within her classroom’s visual aesthetic, but her personality reflects that, as she brings in some of her motherly discipline from home into work.
“She’s tough but fair, like a mom,” said Zach Szymanski, another senior English student who said he reveres everything about Holtman’s teaching and classroom management. “She gets right on it.”
Holtman’s 17 years of experience as a teacher at Nonnewaug have earned her a reputation as more than just a caring individual who’s a master of managing a classroom. Many of her colleagues have noted it’s her sense of humor that have helped make her such an effective educator and mentor.
“Mrs. Holtman is hilarious. As a coworker, she’s always ready to make people laugh, but she’s really helpful, too,” said Ben Guerrette, an English and AP teacher at Nonnewaug. “The first class I ever taught at Nonnewaug was co-taught with Mrs. Holtman, so she’s been helping me since Day 1.”
Her helpful and relaxed classroom ways did not just develop out of thin air. She said she learned it from those who know best– her own family.
“My family has always been supportive,” said Holtman. “We’re all really close.”
Holtman attributes the support from her family to landing her where she is today.
“Without them, I could not be as successful as I am now,” she said. “That consistent family support translates into my teaching and to my students.”
The translation does not only sit with her students, but with her friends. Her qualities as someone who espouses respect, care, and genuine friendliness has garnered her a close friendship with many of her colleagues. One of those colleagues is Rebecca Gambardella, Holtman’s fellow English instructor at Nonnewaug.
“Mrs. Holtman and I have known each other since 2009. I have so many fond memories of her. I think my favorite was at my wedding,” said Gambardella. “I remember walking back down the aisle after the ceremony, and there was Mrs. Holtman with a big smile and an outstretched arm ready to give me a hug. She has always been such a good friend to me. I couldn’t ask for a better friend and colleague.”
