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New York Times ESOL Teacher of the Year
Jaime "Chito" Atienza, 2008
A compassionate teacher bringing "skinship" empowerment into his classroom
For his 30-plus years outstanding work teaching English to new immigrants, The New York Times honored Feliciano Jaime "Chito" Atienza with the 2008 New York Times ESOL Teacher of the Year Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize one teacher in New York City whose commitment to his or her students is demonstrated by consistently going "above and beyond" the call of duty to help students learn English and develop the skills needed to create successful new lives in the United States.
Chito' thematic approach to teaching draws upon his students' immigrant experiences and the paths each has taken since arriving to the City. He infuses the power of "skinship" in his classrooms, where tolerance allows his students to become close regardless of different backgrounds, national origins or culture. Instead of focusing on their differences, his students are happy to share the commonalities that each shares as a human being.
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