With how talkative Britini D’Angelo can seem at first impression, you might not realize that, at one point, she was told she might not speak.
Diagnosed with autism at 22 months old, that has not stopped the Falls resident from setting out what she wants to accomplish. And that involves knowing she wanted to be some kind of teacher.
“My papa was a teacher, my nana was a teacher, my mom’s a school counselor, so teaching runs in my blood,” D’Angelo said.
Tuesday afternoon was a full-circle moment for the Henry J. Kalfas Elementary School special education teacher, who also attended the school when she was younger. D’Angelo was named a grand prize winner of Kleenex’s Heroes of the Classroom contest.
She was named one of the program’s 10 finalists last month, with thousands of teachers nominated across the country for $50,000 worth of prizes. As part of the award, D’Angelo received $10,000, Kalfas Elementary received a $5,000 donation, and a year’s supply of Kleenex tissues. Her mother, Cathy D’Angelo, who nominated her, also received a $1,000 Costco gift card.
“She wants to make Kalfas the happiest place on Earth, after Disney, of course,” said School Principal Kathy Urban during Tuesday’s ceremony honoring the teacher.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to see,” said Samantha Hamilton, one of D’Angelo’s teaching assistants, “seeing someone that we know who works hard for the kids, loves her staff, and advocates for us when we need it.”
Going into her fourth year at Kalfas, D’Angelo operates an 8:1:3 classroom, which, along with teaching only eight kids at a time, also gives her three teaching assistants. This format is meant for kids who are on the autism spectrum or have other special needs, as she develops individualized education programs for her students.
Prior to being at Kalfas full-time, she worked as a substitute teacher for two years before figuring out her best role would be in special education, first in kindergarten and now in first grade.
“My connection to my students and my connection to this job is so much more personal because I know exactly what these students are going through,” D’Angelo said.
Outside of the classroom, D’Angelo has worked as an autism advocate not just in the classroom, but in helping parents and educators understand how autistic people operate. She has spoken at events the Neurodiversity Network of WNY has put on and was able to put out a music album through the record label Stars of the Spectrum, created by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. She even appeared on season 23 of Big Brother in 2021, bringing her advocacy to the reality TV show.
Cathy said her daughter is always thinking about how she can better support her students’ needs. If one of them is struggling, she will spend evenings researching evidence-based strategies and creating custom materials for them to succeed.
“As a mother, watching Britini grow into the educator, advocate, and role model she has become has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Cathy said.
As for her $10,000 prize, D’Angelo just wants to save it for now. But Kalfas Elementary receiving the $5,000 gift means more to her.
“Our students can really use that money,” D’Angelo said. “We’re going to use it for such incredible things.”