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Can you tell us about yourself? 

“Hi, my name is Jodi Cinque. I'm the director of technology at Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. This is my second year there as the director of technology and as a teacher of math.”

Why did you start a career in education?

“I started my career in education. After being a banker right out of college, I decided that I really wanted to spend time with children and then I became a poor Catholic school teacher. So, I went back to business and then I came back to education after I had my three children. If I could have any other job.”

If you could have any other job what would it be and why?

“Um, I don't think there's any other job that I would rather have than being a teacher.”

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

“Kids are different. Um, technology has a huge role in it. Kids are more mature. We expect more of them. There is a lot more pressure on them. 30 years ago, kids were still being kids. Now we expect so much more from our students and our children.”

What would you tell someone who wants to become a teacher?

“If I could tell someone right now about thinking about being a teacher, one of my friend's daughter came to me and said she wants to be a teacher. And I highly encouraged her because of her love of children and teaching.”

What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better?

“One thing I would change to help kids learn better is patience. Um, because we're in such a right now, um, part of the world where we want everything instantaneously. If I could just tell them to just have some patience and sit back and relax and everything doesn't have to be done in a nanosecond, I think that would be best.”