Meet Samantha Pianko | The Elisabeth Morrow School
Source: https://elisabethmorrow.org/news/empowering-students-meet-samantha-pianko-ems
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Meet Samantha Pianko | The Elisabeth Morrow School
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Meet the faces of EMS!
For third-grade teacher Samantha Pianko, the classroom is more than a workplace; it is a calling inherited through generations. Coming from a family of educators — including a grandmother on the New York Board of Education and a mother and sister in the classroom — Samantha grew up in a home where “children were always at the heart of our conversations.” This upbringing instilled a deep understanding that a teacher’s work doesn’t end when the school bell rings. “Physically you are present during the school day,” she says, “but mentally you are always on the clock — thinking about your students and how to be the best teacher possible for them.”
This lifelong dedication was sparked by her own memories of third grade. Ms. Pianko vividly recalls a unit on Japan led by her teacher, Ms. Estanovik, which opened her eyes to the fascinating ways people live around the world. Today, she replicates that sense of wonder at EMS, teaching her students to value diverse perspectives through units on Indigenous Peoples and global connections. For Ms. Pianko, the joy of teaching is amplified by a professional community where colleagues truly want to be — a collaborative energy that ensures EMS is a community where “teachers who love teaching inspire students who love learning.”
In her own classroom, Ms. Pianko’s primary goal is to empower students to find their voice and further develop their leadership. “I strongly believe in teaching students to take risks and reminding them that it is okay to make mistakes, because that is how we grow and learn,” she explains. Recognizing that third grade is a vital transition year, she provides numerous opportunities for group work and presentations.
Ms. Pianko believes that “one of the greatest gifts an educator can receive is knowing they made a difference in a child’s life.” She recalls a student who began her class very guarded and quiet. “Over time, he saw that I cared about him and wanted to know his interests and who he truly was. I made sure he knew it was okay to express his emotions and gave him space when he wasn’t ready to talk. Slowly but surely, he opened up and had an amazing year.”
That impact is often captured in a lasting connection. “To this day, I still have the card his parents wrote me at the end of the school year, thanking me for creating such a warm environment and giving their son the care and support he needed to flourish,” she shares. For Ms. Pianko, these connections are the true proof of her work. “Whether it’s a card like that or seeing a former student walk by your classroom with a smile and a wave, those are the moments that warm my heart and confirm that I am exactly where I am meant to be.”
There's No Better Time to Support Your Child's Education
Every time you donate to one of Elisabeth Morrow's dedicated funds, you help enrich the daily experiences of our community on campus. STEAM spaces are enhanced, library catalogs are expanded, scholarships are funded, and teachers are hired. Every day, you can see the impact your generous donations have on campus.
EMS prepares students for an impressive range of top-tier secondary schools.
Accustomed to a challenging academic environment, EMS students welcome the demands of competitive secondary schools and are often placed in advanced sections where they perform very well.
See where our students have been accepted.
YOUR CHILD WOULD THRIVE AT EMS. SCHEDULE A TIME TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT JOINING OUR COMMUNITY.
Talk with Admissions
Schedule a Tour
Sign up for newsletter updates
Summer is coming! Registration is now open for Summer Explorations: June 22–Aug. 7. Programs for Age 2 through Grade 9 •
Claim your spot!
Skip to content
Meet the faces of EMS!
For third-grade teacher Samantha Pianko, the classroom is more than a workplace; it is a calling inherited through generations. Coming from a family of educators — including a grandmother on the New York Board of Education and a mother and sister in the classroom — Samantha grew up in a home where “children were always at the heart of our conversations.” This upbringing instilled a deep understanding that a teacher’s work doesn’t end when the school bell rings. “Physically you are present during the school day,” she says, “but mentally you are always on the clock — thinking about your students and how to be the best teacher possible for them.”
This lifelong dedication was sparked by her own memories of third grade. Ms. Pianko vividly recalls a unit on Japan led by her teacher, Ms. Estanovik, which opened her eyes to the fascinating ways people live around the world. Today, she replicates that sense of wonder at EMS, teaching her students to value diverse perspectives through units on Indigenous Peoples and global connections. For Ms. Pianko, the joy of teaching is amplified by a professional community where colleagues truly want to be — a collaborative energy that ensures EMS is a community where “teachers who love teaching inspire students who love learning.”
In her own classroom, Ms. Pianko’s primary goal is to empower students to find their voice and further develop their leadership. “I strongly believe in teaching students to take risks and reminding them that it is okay to make mistakes, because that is how we grow and learn,” she explains. Recognizing that third grade is a vital transition year, she provides numerous opportunities for group work and presentations.
Ms. Pianko believes that “one of the greatest gifts an educator can receive is knowing they made a difference in a child’s life.” She recalls a student who began her class very guarded and quiet. “Over time, he saw that I cared about him and wanted to know his interests and who he truly was. I made sure he knew it was okay to express his emotions and gave him space when he wasn’t ready to talk. Slowly but surely, he opened up and had an amazing year.”
That impact is often captured in a lasting connection. “To this day, I still have the card his parents wrote me at the end of the school year, thanking me for creating such a warm environment and giving their son the care and support he needed to flourish,” she shares. For Ms. Pianko, these connections are the true proof of her work. “Whether it’s a card like that or seeing a former student walk by your classroom with a smile and a wave, those are the moments that warm my heart and confirm that I am exactly where I am meant to be.”
There's No Better Time to Support Your Child's Education
Every time you donate to one of Elisabeth Morrow's dedicated funds, you help enrich the daily experiences of our community on campus. STEAM spaces are enhanced, library catalogs are expanded, scholarships are funded, and teachers are hired. Every day, you can see the impact your generous donations have on campus.
EMS prepares students for an impressive range of top-tier secondary schools.
Accustomed to a challenging academic environment, EMS students welcome the demands of competitive secondary schools and are often placed in advanced sections where they perform very well.
See where our students have been accepted.
YOUR CHILD WOULD THRIVE AT EMS. SCHEDULE A TIME TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT JOINING OUR COMMUNITY.
Talk with Admissions
Schedule a Tour
Sign up for newsletter updates