Entering her seventh year of teaching, Gianna Cialdea joined Malden High’s Special Education department this year. As a resident of East Boston, Cialdea aimed to work close by, which encouraged her to apply to work at Malden High. Her goals for this school year are “to get settled in and get to know people,” as well as get “used to the Malden community,” since “getting to know students” is her favorite part of teaching.
Originally from North Conway, New Hampshire, Cialdea had grown up in small towns her entire childhood. Her first year of teaching was in Maine before she moved to East Boston and started teaching at a charter school in Dorchester, then in Everett Public Schools. “It’s been a pretty big change, going from small towns to big cities. But it’s been really fun because there’s lots of opportunities around,” Cialdea added.
Outside of school activities, Cialdea is “really into fitness and sports.” On the weekends, you can expect her to be at the gym, challenging herself by doing CrossFit, which is a combination of weightlifting, cardio, and gymnastics. She also enjoys rugby and playing with her corgi and two cats.
Just last year, Cialdea was the seventh-grade teacher at Madeline English Middle School, where she primarily taught English and math, in addition to supporting students in science and history. Two years prior, Cialdea worked at a high school where she “had experience as a special education teacher in a variety of subjects such as English, math, social studies, and science.”
This year, what caught her attention at Malden High are the opportunities for students with disabilities here. “I like how many programs are offered here, in terms of different support students might need. Malden seems like the kind of place where everyone can succeed in different ways,” Cialdea expressed.
Alongside student support Jared Greiff and paraprofessional Zahra Farhat, Cialdea is jumpstarting her beginning at Malden High by teaching math in her own student group, as well as assisting them in other subjects, such as business. In addition, on Gold days, she will be helping students in art teacher Courtney Gould’s classes. Cialdea is excited for the “opportunity to try out different positions and meet students.”
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