WOODBURY – While saying goodbye to Nonnewaug’s campus in three weeks, many students will also be saying a bittersweet goodbye to one of their favorites.
On Dec. 6, Genna Riggi, who has been a digital arts teacher at Nonnewaug for nine years, she learned she would be switching to teach art next year at both of Region 14’s elementary schools.
“I’m excited to be around the spirit of really young minds,” Riggi said. “I find that there is a lack of inhibition at the younger ages because they don’t have that sense of full self-awareness and self-judgement yet. So I find that the things that they create, the ideas, and some of the thoughts that come out of them are very uninhibited and creative. The playful spirit and creativity will feel very refreshing.”
Students in her yearbook class are devastated upon hearing this news, especially the rising seniors. Karli Brandt, a junior who has become close with Riggi, is saddened upon her unexpected leave for the upcoming fall term.
“She is always super uplifting and ready to work hard every morning,” Brandt said. “Always start off the day by saying good morning to us. I’m also gonna miss laughing with her a lot.”
Not being able to be close with students as well as relating to day-to-day issues as a teenager is something that Riggi will miss dearly.
“I will miss the relationships that I’ve built with students, being able to talk with them about, not just class content but also where they’re headed, some of the stressors they may have with academics, athletics, employment and maybe even some social/emotional help for them,” Riggi said. “I’m definitely going to miss that ability to relate to my students on that level because I do feel that I am someone who can really guide that developmental level.”
Riggi hoped to make her mark on something she is passionate about, and she sure did.
“I feel that what I’m leaving behind is a really strong digital program that I have built a curriculum from my own experience from college and in the real world,” Riggi shares. “I feel that what I’m leaving behind is very applicable to real-world experience and that is always my overarching main goal for students to be able to leave here and have real-life skills that they can apply and that make them employable. A really big part is that I’m able to help my students with employability, because that is the goal. Also, I’m a big believer in following your passion no matter how big, small, different, whatever it may be. If you’re passionate enough about it, you will succeed, and it can make your career.”
