Above: Pat Rakovic is surprised as she enters the gym at Frenchtown and finds it filled with students and staff to celebrate her.

‘This honor brings to mind the countless children I have had the privilege to know’

At 18, Patricia Rakovic’s mother, Kathleen, immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland. She worked as a lunch lady at Nightingale Banfield School in New York City with such commitment that they celebrated her with a day in her honor upon her retirement. Her father, Paul, worked multiple jobs (including as a mechanic for Pan Am Airlines and as a security guard for the Beatles when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show).

Rakovic couldn’t help but think of them when she was named EG Teacher of the Year at a surprise ceremony Monday at Frenchtown School, where she works as a speech and language pathologist.

“They instilled in me a belief in the power of education, hard work, pride in one’s job, and the importance of seizing opportunities,” Rakovic said afterward. “I am overwhelmed with joy and deep gratitude to be selected as the East Greenwich District Teacher of the Year. This recognition in a district celebrated for its innovative and inspiring faculty is incredibly meaningful. As a speech and language pathologist, this honor is especially poignant. It signifies that East Greenwich’s commitment to ‘All Means All’ truly extends to support personnel, affirming our vital role in the educational system.”

Rakovic was nominated by her peers at Frenchtown and was considered by the Leadership Team along with nominees from the other five school buildings.

“Pat’s dedication to our students, innovative teaching methods, and unwavering passion for education make her an exceptional educator,” said Frenchtown Principal Maryann Crudale.

“We are delighted to honor Mrs. Rakovic for her outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to fostering a positive learning environment,” said School Committee Chair Alyson Powell. “Her passion for education and ability to inspire students and colleagues to achieve their best have made a positive and lasting impact on our community.”

All six nominees were asked to rate themselves on the Rhode Island Department of Education Teacher Responsibilities Rubric. The rubric contains four domains: School Responsibilities and Communication, Professionalism, Professional Growth, and Planning. The Leadership Team reviewed the data and then considered all nominees through the lens of the RIDE Teacher Professional Practice Rubric, which contains two domains: the classroom environment and instruction.

Rakovic was the first in her family to graduate from college. She pursued a degree in speech and language pathology with a minor in education at Lehman College. Her unique path, enriched by student teaching experiences in the South Bronx, Harlem, and Hell’s Kitchen, deepened Mrs. Rakovic’s understanding of poverty and the transformative power of education. Continuing her education at New York University, Mrs. Rakovic earned a master’s degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors during the deinstitutionalization era. An encounter with a student named Andrew, who showed unexpected empathy despite his institutionalized life, profoundly shaped her career, reinforcing the professional commitment to seeing the person first and understanding the impact of high expectations on students’ abilities.

“Reflecting on my 45-year career in education, I am struck by the profound changes I’ve witnessed. In the late ’70s, amidst significant economic and social upheaval, education faced massive layoffs, influencing my choice to pursue a career in speech and language pathology,” said Rakovic. “My clinical training began during a time of enlightenment regarding the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, marked by the passing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The ’80s saw special education evolve, ensuring children could reach their full potential as learners with parental involvement in Individualized Education Plans. The ’90s brought the inclusion of autism as a disability category under IDEA, prompting schools to develop appropriate programs. No Child Left Behind further improved special education quality and accountability. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to rethink how we use technology, leading to positive outcomes like increased parent involvement through virtual meetings and more accessible continuing education and differentiated instruction.”

Before joining East Greenwich Schools, she was director of pediatrics at Sargent Rehabilitation. In the ‘90s, as the autism spectrum student population grew, she joined a Rhode Island Department of Education community group to address their needs. This collaboration led to a three-year grant and her faculty role at East Greenwich. Mrs. Rakovic is one of the founding members of the Rhode Island Autism Project. In EGPS, she has worked in five of the six schools as a speech and language pathologist.

Demonstrating lifelong learning and a commitment to growth at all levels of education, Ravkovic has also taught at Rhode Island College, Johnson and Wales, Rhode Island Community College, and Providence College. She served as a clinical supervisor at the University of Rhode Island for 12 years and continues supervising graduate students in their outplacements. She is a nationally certified speech and language pathologist with a special education director certificate and a dyslexia endorsement. Rakovic’s areas of expertise include language development, autism spectrum disorder, and literacy development.

In reflecting on this celebration of a lifetime of professional education, Supt. Brian Ricca said, “Patricia models lifelong learning, never being satisfied with what she knows and always striving to better herself on behalf of her students, their families, and colleagues. We are a better district because of her.”

Rakovic lives in Narragansett with her husband Bob, their son Christopher, who recently relocated from Kentucky, and their beloved dogs. As a proud mother of four and a grandmother of four, her favorite place to be is walking the beach, listening to an audiobook with her dog by her side, and a grandchild running up ahead.

“This honor also brings to mind the countless children I have had the privilege to know,” Ravokic said. “They are the reason I love what I do. There is no greater joy than sharing in a child’s excitement as they learn to communicate, read, and discover. Each child has taught me to see the world from a new perspective.”

Supt. Brian Ricca, right, congratulations EG Teacher of the Year Pat Rakovic at Frenchtown June 10.