Life and learning come full circle for Forest Avenue School Second Grade Teachers Lori Call and Ana Geraghty. Find out how a special connection helps them become even better educators at the #MiddletownRI elementary school.
FULL CIRCLE
MIDDLETOWN, RI (NOVEMBER 12, 2025) – They say life comes full circle sometimes.
That’s certainly true for Lori Call and Ana Geraghty.
Recently, Call became Geraghty’s mentor at Forest Avenue School, where both work as second grade teachers.
What makes their story fun and unique is Call had Geraghty as a student back when she was in kindergarten, first and second grade at the now closed John F. Kennedy Elementary School.
Although the two said they’ve always had a close connection, what’s developed this year at the Forest Avenue elementary school is as colleagues and friends.
“I definitely remember Ana. She was always an outstanding student, very focused, very diligent,” Call said from her classroom. “Now that we’re teaching together, I couldn’t be happier to have her here. Ana is outstanding.”
“I have fond memories of my collaborative classroom experiences in my multiage classroom with Mrs. Call at JFK,” Geraghty said. “ It’s been unbelievable to make some of those same connections with our students today. I tell my friends it’s like things are coming in full circle.”
Growing up in Middletown, Geraghty said the furthest thing on her mind was becoming a teacher although the profession had strong ties to her family.
But after graduating from the University of Rhode Island and pursuing a career in the subject area of her degree — communications and public relations — Geraghty started reflecting a bit.
Was public relations really what she wanted to do with the rest of her life? Was there more professionally that she’d find more enjoyable and rewarding?
Speaking with members of her father’s family from Long Island who were all educators, Geraghty decided to make the switch and hasn’t looked back.
Reenrolling at the University of Rhode Island masters program for teaching, Geraghty student taught third grade at Stony Lane Elementary School in North Kingstown. Then she went on to teach first grade and special education at Claiborne Pell Elementary in Newport and third grade last year at Forest Avenue School before shifting to second grade.
It was a similar story for Call, who had a degree in communications and marketing and was in retail management before the birth of her first child, Haley.
Rather than return to that career, Call said she opened a home daycare center and realized how much she enjoyed helping her own kids — and others — learn and grow.
Earning her masters in teaching from Rhode Island College, Call began as a student teacher at the Forest Avenue School where she is today. She went onto do long term substitute positions before being hired as a multiage kindergarten-grade 1-grade 2 teacher at the Kennedy School.
She taught there for several years until the school was closed for budgetary reasons before serving at Forest Avenue and Aquidneck School across town before returning to Forest Avenue for good.
“It’s been a great career and I still tell people today that if it’s your passion, none of the other stuff matters,” Call said. “To see some of my students and where they are today and to know I’ve had a small part in their success, that’s all the reward I’ll ever need.”
As a young teacher, I’ve gained so much knowledge from Lori and the teachers I have worked with these past few years at Claiborne Pell Elementary and Forest Avenue Elementary,” Geraghty said. “Reflecting on the tips and tricks I have learned from them guide my instruction each day. So much of what I implement daily was inspired by past teachers I have worked with.”
Forest Avenue School Principal Becky Silveira said Call and Geraghty were symbolic of the outstanding work that happens every day the kindergarten through third grade school.
“The partnership between Lori and Ana is so good to see and it helps make both of them even better at what they do,” Silveira said. “Like all our teachers here at Forest Ave, they’re constantly looking for new ways to evolve, grow and connect even better with our students."
With classrooms a few doors down from each other in the upstairs back wing of the elementary school, it’s not uncommon for Call and Geraghty to pop into each other's learning spaces.
Whether it’s to discuss how a lesson went or upcoming professional development, they communicate easily, finishing the other’s sentences on more than one occasion.
Because they’re teaching the same subject material with their own individual twists, Call and Geraghty will share what seemed to connect with the students and what needed work.
Students in each classroom clearly gravitate to their teachers, showing energy and enthusiasm for their learning across all subject areas.
They also enjoy combining classrooms and playing off each other’s strengths to help students better understand.
“I have always valued my education thanks to my dedicated teachers growing up, and consider myself a lifelong learner,” Geraghty said. “I continue to learn and grow as a young educator. I greatly appreciate all of the support Lori has given me in the time we have been working together in second grade. I look up to her in so many ways. Everyday I learn something new from her - her leadership, patience, creativity and dedication to differentiating material for all learners inspires me to be a better educator.”
“It’s an understatement when I say that everyone loves Ana,” Call said, smiling. “She has a great presence in the classroom and connects with the children in a way that’s so natural. Sometimes, they’re learning when they don’t even realize it. She’s an amazing teacher and an amazing person.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Circle
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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