Teacher of the Year

This year, our Tinc Road Elementary School is proud to honor Mrs. Alyssa Puleo as our Teacher of the Year, a well-deserved recognition for someone whose dedication, kindness, and passion for teaching truly make a difference in the lives of our students. A true “Marauder for Life” from the start, Mrs. Puleo attended Tinc Road School herself before earning her undergraduate degree from Kutztown University and her master’s degree from Centenary University. She is dual certified in elementary and special education, with Masters in Special Education. 

Mrs. Puleo began her teaching career in 2012 and has brought her talent to a wide range of classrooms. She has taught preschool disabled programs during ESY and has spent years teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. No matter the grade level, her focus has always been the same—helping each child feel seen, supported, and capable of reaching their full potential.

Her inspiration for becoming a teacher comes from someone very close to her heart—her brother Joey, who has Down syndrome. She shares that Joey has had a life-changing impact on her and her family, sparking her desire to devote her career to helping children learn and grow.

When asked about her favorite part of teaching, Mrs. Puleo immediately said the kids. She says their humor and personalities never fail to bring something new to each day. Seeing them learn, laugh, and gain confidence is what makes her job meaningful. 

Some of her most memorable teaching moments include dogs. One standout memory involved a creative math lesson in which students used fractions to bake homemade dog treats. The treats were then sent to the Dominican Republic, and her class later received photos of dogs enjoying what they had made. Another favorite moment was welcoming a therapy dog into the class after reading The Right Dog for the Job, bringing literature and real-world experiences together beautifully.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Puleo enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband Christian is a corrections officer and a sergeant in the Army, and together they have two children—Alivia, age five, and Gio, age four. She loves going to the beach, cooking, baking, and trying out new recipes.

We are thrilled to celebrate Mrs. Puleo as our Teacher of the Year and lucky to have her at Tinc Road Elementary School!