This week, the Oracle features Gifted And Talented Education teacher duo, Mrs. Christina Palladino and Mrs. Kate Elder. 

Q: How long have you been teaching at the high school?

P: I was hired in 1999, and I started at the intermediate school. It was an 8-9 building. That’s where I started teaching, and I was there for 10 years. And then we all came up here in 2009. Ninth grade GATE moved up and I moved up with them.  

E: This is year 29 for me. I taught one year at the high school English, ten years at the elementary school, came back up here and this is year 14 of doing GATE. 

Q: Have you always taught GATE?

P: No, I taught US History , and I taught a class called Contemporary American Culture, and I taught all the ninth graders. So for years, I had every single ninth grader, and it was a nine-week course. And then people retired and I decided to move into the world of GATE. 

E: I taught English for about 15 years. 

Q: What is your favorite GATE activity to teach or participate in?

P: I would have two, but the U.S. Military Experience class is my favorite because of the kids’ interactions with the veterans and how positive that always goes and everyone loves Shaler when we go down there and meet with the veterans, but then probably mock trial. It’s just fun and everybody loves it.

E: I think I’d probably say Fairchild Challenge. We’ve had so much success with it over the years and it’s allowed us through our winnings to implement a lot of green initiatives around here that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. You know, due to the talent of our students who’ve done so well, they’ve earned us money for the school, which in turn has really allowed us to create some unique projects around here. 

Q: If you could have any job and not worry about money, what would it be?

P: A yard landscaper. I love planting flowers and all that kind of stuff. What would that be called? I think just like a landscape designer. I think that would be super fun.

E: I’d probably say a ski instructor. I love to ski. I’m pretty good at teaching skiing, so that would be pretty fun to work with little kids. 

Q: What would your last meal be?

P: Brie, French bread and wine.

E: Probably just like a pizza with my kids and my husband. 

Q: What was your first car?

P: I had a white SUV, and it was called an Isuzu Trooper. I don’t even think they make them anymore. It was a big white boxy car and it was a stick shift.

E: A Dodge Blue Shadow, which I crashed. I had it for like a year.

Q: What is your favorite place you have visited?

P: Salzburg, Austria because I love the Sound of Music.

E: Lake Como in Italy. The little town Bellagio in Lake Como.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

P: Spend time with my family, I like to cook, and go to the beach in the summer. Just relaxing and hanging out with my family is probably the biggest thing. 

E: During the summer, I golf a lot. I spend a lot of time outdoors, just walking, exercising, running, that kind of thing. I like to go to the theatre with my mom, and do a lot of stuff with my mom. I also like to do all the New York Times games everyday.