Dr. Eglantina Cenolli, EL (English Language) and mathematics teacher at North Junior High School, would say teaching is in her blood. Her parents, aunts, uncles and most of her sisters are all teachers. She considered becoming a medical doctor. However, civil war in her home country of Albania prevented travel to acquire a medical education. It seemed inevitable that she would be a teacher.
Cenolli began learning Russian in middle school to teach as a second language. However, two years later, her family moved. The new school she attended didn’t offer Russian, so Cenolli switched to English instead. After she finished school in Albania, she taught English as a Second Language for 10 years.
“Even though I went for [and taught] English as a Second Language,” says Cenolli, “my heart is in mathematics. I love math. That is where my brain works.”
After 10 years of teaching in Albania, Cenolli moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota to attend St. Cloud State University (SCSU) to earn her master’s degree in higher education administration. Once she completed her master’s, she went straight into the doctoral program.
“I was a mom of two boys, … eight and … four,” explains Cenolli. “So, I said, ‘It’s either now or never.’ I saw the opportunity of my dream and I just chased it.”
While obtaining her doctoral degree in education, staff from SCSU’s finance department tried to convince her to go into finance instead due to her passion for math. Cenolli responded, “I know, but my heart is in teaching. I want to really be around the kids – to just look at them and see how things make sense to them. [I want to] open the world to them.”
Cenolli feels fortunate. She taught summer school in 2015 for St. Cloud Area School District 742 and was hired on full-time that fall to teach.
“I’ve been happily married to the District ever since,” laughs Cenolli. “I really love educating here.”
Now, Cenolli has the best of both worlds. She teaches English in the EL program as well as math classes.
“It’s a privilege [to teach both],” says Cenolli. “You’re really lucky to teach these multi-language learners and see how things click in their brains. And when it comes to math, sometimes it’s much easier to see it click, especially how it can relate to their previous experiences and their background.”
Cenolli understands how EL students feel moving to a new country since she herself arrived new to the United States. It makes it easier for her to connect to the students and have a better understanding of their backgrounds and cultures. She considers her students extended family.
“Connecting with these kids … they don’t need to say a complete sentence for me to understand what they are trying to say,” explains Cenolli. “They will fill in the gaps as time goes.”
The strong relationship she’s created with students is the secret of her teaching success.
Recently, Cenolli was recognized by the CARLA (Center for Advance Research of Language Arts) Institute through the University of Minnesota for her efforts in the classroom. The institute organizes training and professional development on various topics for teachers during the summer months. Cenolli was spotlighted by the institute for her implementation of those trainings.
Cenolli still realized her dream of being a doctor – just a different kind of doctor. She wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, she says, “I would say that teaching is opening the windows of the world to these kids.”
Fun Facts:
- Doing math is Cenolli’s relaxation time. “Don’t give me yoga. I need math!”
- If she can’t do math to de-stress, she loves to fix cars.
- Gardening is another love of Cenolli’s. She plants a garden every summer.
- Cenolli is one of five sisters.
- She teaches summer school every summer. “I can’t get enough school.”
Among her flowers
You must be logged in to post a comment.