About Me:

A Lil bit about me. I am a mom to two amazing young adults (a daughter named Savannah and a son named Steven). I moved to Dansville about 20 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. I decided, instead of moving and having my children go to a larger school, I decided to stay here in this amazing small community where they can know their peers more personally than what they would've experienced in a larger school district. I was going to school to be a drug/alcohol counselor for adolescents and then volunteered in my son's K class one year and realized this is what I should be doing, teaching. I switched my career mid-stream and started as a substitute, to a paraprofessional, and then into our STEAM Lab TA (year 4). I have been working in the district for 10 years now and love doing the job I have now. I also teach LEGO robotics after school in both the PS and EBH. There is nothing better than coming to work and being able to teach about subjects I love, along with learning every day from the students with all their amazing ideas. In my free time, I spend time with my children and friends. I love to be outdoors in nature, I love to learn and figure out how things work, cars, sports, and, of course, I love games and lots of jokes. I practice all the skills that I teach in my everyday life. We grow from what we fail at as every opportunity is a learning experience for us to be better citizens.  

What's STEAM?:

You are probably wondering what the STEAM Lab is. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. DPS transitioned from the traditional computer class to a STEAM Lab format. Now you may ask what is going to be happening in the lab that's different from a computer class. The lab is a place where students can create a collaborative learning environment, including project-based STEAM activities. The Lab is a place where they will become empowered learners. They will be using and learning technology as well; they will be learning how to use technology as an educational resource and not solely as a fun way to play games. Students will learn about digital citizenship, and how to be responsible with and on the devices they will be using. These are all real-life skills that they will take with them back into their classroom, into elementary school, high school, and beyond. Students will be able to gain a deeper understanding of STEAM topics, aligned with ISTE and NEXT Gen standards. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at petrilloj@dansvillecsd.org

Our Motto:

In the STEAM Lab

We Dream it.

We Believe it.

We Achieve it. 

DPS STEAM Lab's Social Media - Check out videos, ideas, and what is happening in the DPS Lab at one of the following sites!!

For our YouTube channel, click here

For our Instagram, click here