Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Macciomi

By VCS Senior JaQualyn Wiggins

We are excited to spotlight one of our dedicated educators, Mrs. Macciomi, whose passion for learning and genuine love for students shine through everything she does. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown, she married her high school sweetheart shortly after graduation. While he played football, she cheered from the sidelines, and together they began building a beautiful life. They have been blessed with four wonderful children, as well as a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

With more than 25 years in education, Mrs. Macciomi has spent over two decades serving as an intervention specialist. During the pandemic, she earned her master’s degree and spent a year supervising preschool teachers. After teaching at Lewis during the previous school year, she felt clearly led to Valley Christian School this year—a decision she credits to God’s guidance.

Mrs. Macciomi’s passion for teaching began early in life. At just 10 years old, she welcomed her baby sister, Tracie, into the family and quickly fell in love with caring for young children, forming a close bond that remains strong today. She was also deeply impacted by a cousin with special needs, an experience that helped shape her heart for working with children who learn differently. These early influences fueled her belief in the value and potential of every child.

Throughout her career, she has taught nearly every grade level, including grades 1–8 at St. Charles and grades 4–7 at other schools. She has also worked closely with junior high and high school students through her church’s youth group and cherished her time supervising preschool teachers. As she often says, “Kids are just great!”

Her favorite part of teaching is the creative process—designing engaging lessons and finding ways to make learning joyful. She finds great fulfillment in watching students grow, gain confidence, and take pride in their accomplishments. One particularly meaningful moment occurred when she ran into a former student from her second year of teaching. He enthusiastically recalled lessons and activities she had long forgotten, reminding her that the time, effort, and love poured into teaching truly make a lasting impact.

Mrs. Macciomi’s teaching philosophy is rooted in a lifelong belief she has held since graduating from Youngstown State University in 1996: all children can learn. She views learning as one of God’s greatest gifts and strives to help her students recognize the privilege and joy of learning something new each day. Her classroom emphasizes engagement, hands-on activities, collaboration, and achievable success. While she values homework, she believes strongly in quality over quantity—four meaningful problems instead of forty.

To keep learning fun and engaging, she incorporates hands-on tasks, group activities, and small incentives such as candy, stickers, and magnets for water bottles and lockers. She also writes encouragement cards for students who need an extra boost, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and capable.

Several teachers played a significant role in shaping Mrs. Macciomi as an educator. Her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Pat Brown, inspired her creativity through art, calligraphy, and real-world projects. Her honors U.S. history teacher, Mr. Thomas Calpin, brought history to life through art, music, and challenging writing, becoming an important mentor. Another lasting influence was her honors English teacher, Dr. Sue Stevens, who fostered a love of reading, writing, and journaling while caring deeply for students’ emotional well-being. Their relationship continues today through birthday cards and thoughtful notes.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Macciomi treasures time with her family, especially monthly trips to Columbus to visit her children. She enjoys playing Bananagrams, singing with her church community, creating art, and watching BBC programs. She also enjoys Jimmy Kimmel clips, following current events, and keeping up with government proceedings. Her favorite films include The Color Purple, The Green Mile, Hook, and Schindler’s List, all directed by Steven Spielberg. Her favorite book is the Bible, filled with notes in nearly every margin.

Creativity fuels many of her hobbies, including art, dance, singing, fashion, and experimenting with makeup. Her advice to students is both heartfelt and powerful: everyone has immense value. She reminds students that those who are often teased are usually the ones who need the most love and care. She also cautions against gossip, describing it as insidious and harmful to people’s spirits.

A fun fact many may not know—Mrs. Macciomi was homecoming queen her senior year, while her husband was prom king. They were voted “Cutest Couple,” and she earned the title “Most Likely to Succeed.” As she jokingly adds, if owning more than 50 pairs of shoes is a sign of success, she’s definitely a CEO.

We are grateful to have such a compassionate, creative, and faith-filled educator as part of our school community.