Quarter-century down
Deirdre Newman
DeLores Sanfelice is too modest to toot her own horn.
So after 25 years of teaching at Montessori Harbor Mesa School in
Costa Mesa her students had no problem gushing about her positive
attributes on her last day Friday.
“She doesn’t abandon people,” said fifth-grader Kate Misogas, 10.
“She always goes back to help you. She’s very honest.”
Sanfelice was invited to teach at Mesa by director Giuliana De
Frenza, who heard a glowing review about the teacher from Sanfelice’s
then 5-year-old son who was a student at the school.
“She’s absolutely the most dedicated teacher I ever met,” De
Frenza said. “She’s been an invaluable asset to the school.”
Sanfelice’s attendance record was almost on par with baseball
great Cal Ripken Jr.’s consecutive game achievement -- only missing
about two to three days over the last quarter century, De Frenza
said.
Montessori schools give students the freedom to make choices about
what they want to learn based on their interests and ability.
Sanfelice, who mostly taught fourth-through sixth-graders, said
she relished the challenge of tailoring her instruction to individual
students.
“You have to be well-prepared, know the material and know what a
child’s ability is,” Sanfelice said.
She said she enjoyed watching children discover their talents and
nurturing them over the years.
“You may have one year a child who’s into science, so you want to
foster that. The next year, there may be someone with artistic
interest,” Sanfelice said.
After two-plus decades, Sanfelice said she felt bittersweet about
leaving.
“It’s sad because I will miss the school. The staff has been
great. I will miss the children. I don’t know what the future holds
for me,” Sanfelice said.
Her students will definitely feel the void.
“She has a really kind heart,” said fifth-grader Phillip Softa,
10. “When I first came to class, she taught a lot that I never
thought I would know and taught me the hardest things.”
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