Kayla Mosti announced as 2023 Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education Recipient
Mrs. Nancy Gill presented the 2023 Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education to Kayla Mosti. Mrs. Mosti has been employed by the Toronto City School District since 2011. She is a sixth grade Reading and Math teacher at Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School. Mrs. Mosti is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has also served as the head softball coach, sixth grade camp counselor, and the founder and facilitator for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
According to the award nominators, Mrs. Mosti is known for her kindness, compassion for, and patience with her students. She is always willing to help her students regardless of their ability level and strives to make sure everyone understands the subject matter. Mrs. Mosti is able to relate to her students on a personal level, whether a student approaches her with an academic or personal issue. Although she is very serious about academics, Mrs. Mosti is a very fun teacher with a great sense of humor. One student nomination summed up his feelings about her as follows: “Sometimes I dread going to school but then I think of her upcoming class period and I get excited.”
The Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to a teacher or administrator active in Toronto City Schools. The award was established to recognize the efforts of an outstanding teacher or administrator for creating an environment where teaching and learning are valued. Past recipients include: Bill Stone (2022), Amanda Speece (2022), Annie Silverthorn (2021), Tim Fisher (2019), Michelle Blazek (2018), Rick Hlivko (2017), Cindy Hinerman (2016), Kirk George (2015), Sally George (2015), Jane Brower (2013), Jennifer Dickinson (2012), Donna McCasland (2011), Ellen Hughes (2010), Mary Jo Kuhn (2009), Lynda Glenn (2008), Charlene Starr (2007), Linda Blair (2006), Linda Antonucci (2005), Gary Fisher (2004), Maureen Taggart (2003), James Ray (2002), Susan Buckham (2001), Barbara Carter (2000), Kirk George (1999), and Barbara Pritts (1998). Nominations for the award were accepted from students, teachers, administrators, parents, and alumni.
Mrs. Mosti is the daughter of Bob and Brenda Roush. She resides in Toronto with her husband Aaron and their two children.