Maricopa PRL instructor is nominated for Disney Teacher Award

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Maricopa’s “Rising Stars,” also known as 2 to 5-year-old students, have a chance to participate in a brand new dance program offered by the City of Maricopa Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Department. The Rising Stars program is led by Ceylan Gentilella, who was recently nominated for a prestigious Disney Teacher Award. These classes meet on Saturday morning at Santa Rosa Elementary School. Classes begin Saturday, January 21, 2006.

Ceylan has been dancing since she was five years old and has always known that she was destined to teach. “For me,” she said, “it is all about passing down the art form.” She received her BSA in Dance and BA in Therapeutic Recreation from Montclair State University and is also certified in Massage Therapy.

12She recently received notification that a number of her former students in New Jersey nominated her for a Disney Teacher Award. She now must submit an application that will be reviewed by teachers and representatives from various organizations. This panel will eventually select about 45 Disney Teacher Award Honorees nationally. If Ceylan is selected as an honoree, she could receive up to $25,000 and the honor of participating in a July 2006 recognition ceremony.

“This nomination was the greatest honor ever,” said Gentilella. “It is amazing that someone thinks so highly of me.”

Ceylan’s teaching ingenuity and her desire to share the art form have compelled her to design dance classes for autistic students as well as a wheelchair dancing workshop called “Inspire.” She firmly believes that “the arts can be shared with everyone,” and she has proven it.

“We’re excited to add Ceylan to our rapidly growing staff of excellent instructors,” PRL Director Marty McDonald stated. “We believe in putting quality individuals in front of our children, and Ceylan certainly qualifies as such.”

To register for the Rising Stars Dance Program, please download a copy of The Activator, the Parks and Recreation Activity Guide Book, or you can pick one up at local businesses. You can choose from: “Young Rising Stars Dance” (ages 2-3) and “Rising Stars Ballet and Tap” (ages 4-5). Registration for this class ends on Friday, January 6, 2006, at 5 p.m. You can register at City Hall or by mailing your registration to the address listed on the registration form.

Thanks to innovative teachers like Ceylan Gentilella, the City of Maricopa PRL Department is enjoying huge success, with 625 participants in the Fall 2005 session. For more questions about this class or to inquire about other classes, please contact Marty McDonald at (520) 568-9098, Ext. 204.