Maria Fontes

Artist, Designer & Educator who promotes innovative thinking to develop 21st century skills & support positive student outcomes. Tweets my own.

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Love this❤️

[Mr PitBull Stories @MrPitbull07]

When I was 13, I carried a secret shame. We were so poor that I often went to school with no food. At recess, while my classmates opened their lunches—apples, cookies, sandwiches—I sat pretending I wasn’t hungry. I buried my face in a book, hiding the sound of my empty stomach. Inside, it hurt more than I can explain.

Then, one day, a girl noticed. Quietly, without making a fuss, she offered me half her lunch. I was embarrassed, but I accepted. The next day, she did it again. And again. Sometimes it was a roll, sometimes an apple, sometimes a piece of cake her mother baked. To me, it was a miracle. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen.

Then one day, she was gone. Her family moved, and she never came back. Every day at recess, I’d glance at the door, hoping she would walk in and sit beside me with her smile and her sandwich. But she never did.

Still, I carried her kindness with me. It became part of who I was.

Years passed. I grew up. I thought of her often, but life went on.

Then, just yesterday, something happened that froze me in place. My young daughter came home from school and said:

“Dad, can you pack me two snacks tomorrow?”

“Two?” I asked. “You never finish one.”

She looked at me with the seriousness only a child can have:

“It’s for a boy in my class. He didn’t eat today. I gave him half of mine.”

I just stood there, goosebumps rising, time standing still. In her small act, I saw that girl from my childhood. The one who fed me when no one else noticed. Her kindness hadn’t disappeared—it had traveled through me, and now, through my daughter.

I stepped onto the balcony and looked at the sky, my eyes full of tears. All at once I felt my hunger, my shame, my gratitude, and my joy.

That girl may never remember me. She may not even know the difference she made. But I will never forget her. Because she taught me that even the smallest act of kindness can change a life.

And now, I know: as long as my daughter shares her bread with another child, kindness will live on.

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

@JenEfflandt @ppsdMLLs 👏👏👏

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

@TonyDungy Congratulations and God bless 🙏❤️🙏

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Congratulations to our @CentralHSPvd Ss who have their beautiful work exhibited at the @pvdschools k-12 Art Show. Great to see them & their families at the opening reception on Friday. Ss received a citation from @GovDanMcKee for exhibiting their work. Go Knights! @NicSimpso

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

@JenEfflandt Congratulations! We’ll deserved!!!👏👏👏

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Ss @CentralHSPvd enjoyed drawing & painting handmade greeting cards & bookmarks with their own personalized message. Happy Holidays to all.❄️☃️🎁 Go Knights! @reneemwalker1 @gjdececco @pvdschools @NicSimpso

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Congratulations to them!❤️❤️🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

Couple with down syndrome told not to marry... and 25 years later.

[Providence Public Schools @pvdschools]

🎬✨First Week of School Recap! ✨🎬
The energy was high, and the smiles were even brighter as students and staff kicked off an amazing new school year! From reconnecting with friends to meeting new teachers, we are glad there were so many great moments throughout PPSD🎒🍎

[Nay Walker @reneemwalker1]

Check this out! @PTU958 @pvdschools @CentralHSPvd @MRanglinVassell https://t.co/fDdpUKVceU

[PPSD Multilingual Learners @ppsdMLLs]

PPSD staff members, check your email to see new instructions for requesting an over the phone interpreter. If you call an MLL family this summer, we have a new phone number & pins. ☀️☎️📲
Email [email protected] if you need support. The MLL team will be available all summer!

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Congratulations to our awesome students who graduated from the CTE Firefighter Academy @CentralHSPvd. Also, a big shout out to their teacher, Mr. Zack Sylvia who always goes the extra mile 4 his Ss. Go Knights!!!🎉👏👏👏💙🚒⛑️🎉🎉@reneemwalker1 @RobertDiMuccio1 @Fsalvadore10

[Providence Public Schools @pvdschools]

PPSD celebrates the achievements of our 13 graduates of the latest cohorts, the class of 2024 and class of 2023, from its CTE Firefighter Academy. This program is designed to prepare students for careers in firefighting and emergency medical services and hands-on experience.

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Congratulations to our colleague & friend, Ms. Donna Goodwin who’s retiring after 33 years in @pvdschools. Here she is on her last day w/ her former student who is now a teacher @CentralHSPvd. Thank u for the lives you’ve touched & the difference you’ve made! @Ninajarvis10

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

@Dalbodog Bandit

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

(2/2)Adobe certification is an industry recognized credential for digital creators. Ss can add it to their resume, college or job applications, etc. It can also help them obtain an entry-level position in a job related field. Great way to prepare students for college or career!💙

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

(1/2)Congratulations to our @CentralHSPvd students who passed the Adobe Certification exam in Photoshop. So proud of them!👏👏🏆🥇🏅
@RobertDiMuccio1 @pvdschools @scottsuther20 @reneemwalker1 @Ninajarvis10

[Nay Walker @reneemwalker1]

Look, what my Knights are doing!!! Come on over!!!! #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2024 @CentralHSPvd @RobertDiMuccio1 @skgormley @MRanglinVassell @Fsalvadore10 @AInfanteGreen @PTU958 @pvdschools

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

Big shout out 4 @CentralHSPvd faculty, staff, families, students & sponsors who came together 2 celebrate Arts & Culture Night! Your time, generosity & talents are greatly appreciated @JimzNico, @ursulajackson64 @Ninajarvis10 @Fsalvadore10 @pvdschools @NicSimpso @RobertDiMuccio1

[Nina Bachini @Ninajarvis10]

Great time last night @CentralHSPvd ! Students ,parents,faculty and staff came together to celebrate art and the diverse cultures of our school community. Singing,dancing,art performances and delicious food…@pvdschools @NicSimpso @RobertDiMuccio1 @reneemwalker1 @Fsalvadore10

[Nay Walker @reneemwalker1]

Wondering what to do with your Solar Eclipse glasses?
Wonder no more... send them to "
"Central Cares" so we can donate them!!!
70 Fricker St 02903
C/o me!!!!!
Thanks. @NASSP @PTU958 @pvdschools @TurquoiseLady1 @MRanglinVassell @MissMaleiko @Fsalvadore10 @CentralHSPvd @RIprinc

[Maria Fontes @STEAMri]

What a great exhibition! Congratulations to our awesome students on a job well done!!! Go Knights!🥇👏👏👏👏🎉 @NicSimpso @reneemwalker1 @Fsalvadore10 @RobertDiMuccio1

[Nina Bachini @Ninajarvis10]

I really enjoyed seeing all of the amazing artwork at RIAEA Anchor Awards! @CentralHSPvd was well represented. A special shout out to Jeremy Lopez & Evony Cruz for winning awards & having their work selected to move onto to the national exhibition!
@STEAMri @pvdschools