DAVID GAVATO

 Mr. David Gavato began teaching in 1987.  After completing college he immediately accepted a long-term substitute position to complete the year.   Mr. Gavato then applied and received a teaching position at Columbian Elementary School, where he has been since the Fall of 1988. All of his 32 years of service have been at Columbian Elementary. Mr. Gavato taught 5th grade for 15 years and 2nd grade for the past 17 years. Mr. Gavato always wanted to give back to his Bessemer Community where he grew up and spent his childhood days. To this day, if you happen to mention that you work at Columbian Elementary, it is extremely likely that a former student would ask “is Mr. Gavato still there”?  In fact, I often state that Mr. Gavato is a strong pillar in our Columbian community.

During his 32 years of service, Mr. Gavato donated endless hours to our PTSO organization.  He constantly assisted in planning Parent Involvement activities and rarely missed a musical performance.  Dave believes strongly in Community Partnerships.  For the past three decades he has invited dozens of guests into his classroom to open the minds of our students, consistently promoting various career choices and academic goals.  He is definitely the kind of teacher who goes the extra mile for the students in his care.

 Mr. Gavato works diligently to provide our under resourced students enlightening experiences through meaningful and engaging activities, such as “Flat Stanley.”   Each year Flat Stanley travels with staff and family members to various parts of the U.S. and foreign countries.   Students are thrilled to see pictures and hear descriptions of Flat Stanley’s many adventures.  Students are then asked to create their own Flat Stanley which is mailed to various cities and states.  This is just one example of the hundreds of activities Mr. Gavato has created over the past 32 years to broaden the horizons of his students.   Although, we will miss the traditional Green Eggs and Ham he prepares for his students every year on Dr. Seuss Day and the cold silver bells delivered by Santa’s elves to his classroom each winter, on behalf of the Thunderbolt Family, we would like to wish Mr. Gavato all of our blessings and THANK HIM for a job well done!!