Background
Mrs. Debbie Rizzuto teaches Kindergarten as well as 7th and 8th Grade Spanish. She graduated from Montana State University Billings with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, major in History, minors in Spanish and Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Rizzuto received her last 9 credits for her Spanish Endorsement in Salamanca, Spain. She has been teaching for 20 years, and this will be her 19th year teaching Kindergarten and Spanish at St. John Vianney.

Educational Philosophy
Mrs. Rizzuto believes that Kindergarten is a magical year for children. In Kindergarten, your child will begin to learn basic skills, will become self-motivated, independent learners, will learn organizational skills in both thinking and assigned work, will develop positive work-habit skills, will gain self confidence, and will further develop his/her imagination, creativity, and relationship with God.

Kindergarten is also the year that children will form their opinion of school. It is her goal to do her best to make their first experience with all day school a very positive one! The Kindergarten program is designed to be hands-on, child-centered, fun, and exciting! It is Mrs. Rizzuto's hope that you will remember that each child will grow and learn at their own individual pace. With a little encouragement, praise, and time, all the children will have a very special and successful Kindergarten year. 

Mrs. Rizzuto chooses to teach in a Catholic school because she grew up Catholic and her faith and relationship with God are very important to her. She believes that by teaching in a Catholic school she is performing a ministry of the church. Here, she is blessed with the opportunity to teach the whole child: the academic, the social, the emotional, and the spiritual sides of each child. Teaching in a Catholic school makes her feel complete.