Homer Brink Elementary School Early Kindergarten Teacher Tony Montemagno has been familiar with teaching since he was a child, thanks to his mom running a children's daycare out of his childhood home. 

The 18-year teacher's journey continued at SUNY Broome and SUNY Cortland, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education. Earning his masters in the field as well, Montemagno helped out with childcare at the YMCA before landing a job at Homer Brink.  

But there is one thing Montemagno has always known about his passion. 

"A male at this grade level is kind of something you don't see all the time," Montemagno said. "So I think that, you know, having a male role model or a male influence that these young kids life is is a pretty big influence for them."

That stereotype has never stopped this early kindergarten teacher, embracing being a male role model for all of his students and having immense pride in that responsibility. 

Whether it's teaching them how to write full sentences or reading books, Montemagno has learn to always take his time with his students throughout his 18-year career. 

"Patience is a huge, huge part of this. This business, especially at this grade level," Montemagno said. "You got to understand that there's still learning the world really, you know, and how things how things work in our world."

That patience has allowed the Early Kindergarten teacher to see not just his students grow, but enjoy some of his favorite moments as a teacher.

"The joy of seeing the kids grow and change and learn the things that they're able to accomplish throughout a school year. It's just great to see," Montemagno said.