Why the Portente Twins, MAT ’20, Believe They Got the Best Education at Stony Brook

Before Austin and Justin Portente, MAT ’20, started their interview, Justin wanted to point out that Austin was wearing his shirt — something that Austin denied. But don’t let the playful accusations deceive you, the Portente twins are actually very close. They both attended Binghamton University for their undergraduate studies before enrolling in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Stony Brook to attain their master’s degrees — Austin in Spanish and French and Justin in social studies. 

Both alums credit their experience at Stony Brook for shaping their teaching careers. Austin just got tenure in Long Island’s Smithtown Central School District, where he teaches Spanish and French at Smithtown High School East and Great Hollow Middle School. Justin will get tenure in September in the East Williston Union Free School District on Long Island, where he teaches eighth-grade U.S. History, ninth-grade Global History and 11th-grade AP U.S. History at the Wheatley School. 

They have fond memories of their teachers and mentors at Stony Brook as well as their time student teaching at the same middle school. Yes, they were often mistaken for each other by their students and their fellow teachers. As the school year came to a close, the brothers took time out of their busy schedules to take a walk down memory lane and reflect on what they love most about Stony Brook.

Did you always know you wanted to become a teacher? Did one of you have the idea first?

Austin: I wouldn’t say one of us had the idea first, but he does steal everything I do.

Justin: That’s not true. I was going to say that our mother was a French and Spanish teacher, so growing up, we would see how much she loved what she did. She would come home and tell us stories about how her students made her laugh, and it was just nice to hear all about it. From there, I think she inspired both of us to become teachers. I realized in middle school that I loved social studies and had some inspirational high school teachers that influenced my decision to pursue education in social studies. And I think it was the best decision I’ve ever made because I love what I do every day, just like our mother did. And now I’m sure Austin will copy what I said.

Austin: Well, sort of. Our mother, and grandmother who was also a teacher, encouraged me to take French in middle and high school. Instead, I ended up taking Spanish and fell in love with it. It wasn’t until I went to Binghamton that I studied French too. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, though I thought it was cliche to also become a Spanish and French teacher like my mother and grandmother, so I started looking into interpreting and translating. However, I quickly realized during a translation internship in Paris that I missed the social element that you get from teaching in a classroom. And I love it. It’s the best job in the world.

What drew you to the MAT program at Stony Brook?

Austin: The reputation. We grew up in Suffolk County, and we always knew we wanted to get our master’s at Stony Brook. It has such a great teaching program, and to me, it is very prestigious compared to other New York schools.

Justin: I hate to say it, but Austin hit the nail on the head with his answer. Stony Brook University has a fantastic reputation. I’m part of the interview committees at Wheatley, and when we see Stony Brook pop up on a resume, it definitely elevates the candidates. I think Stony Brook has a history of preparing teachers in a successful manner. And I know from our experience that was true. Plus, Stony Brook offered us the flexibility to work full time during the day and take our classes in the evenings.

Did you have any mentors when you were at Stony Brook? How did they inspire your teaching methods?

Justin: Let me take this one first! When I got to Stony Brook, I felt like I knew so much about social studies content, but what I didn’t know was how to actually teach. Professor Charlie Backfish, who is also the director of field experience and student teaching in the social studies education program, taught me everything I know about how to teach. He would always give me honest feedback. I learned how to use cooperative learning in the classroom from him, as well as how to use political cartoons or songs in my lesson plans. Being in his class for my methods experience, and then for student teaching, was the most invaluable experience, and now I’m lucky enough to call him my friend.

Austin: As far as mentors, a few stand out to me. First is Professor Irene Marchegiani, she is the director of field experience and clinical practice in the Languages and Cultural Studies department. She is also co-director of the ACE [Accelerated College Education] program, which allows high school students to earn credit through Stony Brook. Irene taught me that just because you know the grammar, syntax and linguistic rules to a language doesn’t mean you can teach it. She explained that you need to teach in a way that will inspire the acquisition of a language. And Professor Lilia Ruiz-Debbe. She taught me how to create a warm and inviting classroom and how to encourage participation.

What was your student teaching experience like?

Austin: Placement in the Smithtown district was so great for us. This is especially true for me because I ended up getting a full-time position when I graduated. We both had great cooperating teachers in the middle and high schools. And we both had to pivot quickly in the second half of our student teaching experience because of COVID. Katherine Neumair was my cooperating teacher for French at Accompsett, where she gave me a crash course on teaching with technological tools when we went to remote learning. I feel I’m a better teacher because of that experience. What I loved about student teaching was figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Oftentimes, I was able to create my own lesson plans and develop my own style of teaching, which is something I really appreciated.

Justin: Well, I liked student teaching at the same middle school as Austin because we were sharing a car at the time. But seriously, as Austin said, we had great cooperating teachers. Christy Ortiz was my cooperating teacher at Accompsett. Her planning behind the scenes, mixed with her willingness to try different activities and build a student-centered classroom, is what I consistently strive for. During COVID, Michael Zartler, my cooperating teacher at Smithtown East, let me experiment with different types of technology and online resources. His mentoring and advice, as well as his humor, was truly invaluable during a difficult time. 

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

Justin: I love being able to take complex topics such as the Cold War or the Great Depression, which most students have heard of but do not know much about, and make those units comprehensible for them. I feel they leave my classes each day with a better understanding of history or government and politics, and that’s rewarding for me.

Austin: I love when my students tell me they used a language in their everyday life. I love watching the progression of their acquisition of the language. Some of my students I’ve had for several years now, and when I met them, they barely knew how to say ‘hello’ in Spanish, and now they’re having full conversations. And I also love hearing how some of them want to continue studying a language when they graduate. I really try to instill in them that no matter what field they go into, it’s valuable to know another language.

Have any of your students expressed interest in attending Stony Brook?

Austin: Yes! Many of our students get excited because they’re part of the ACE program. They see all of the good things going on at Stony Brook, and for some, the full university experience, campus life, and academics close to home. I just had a bunch of seniors that are attending Stony Brook in the fall. They’re ready to be Seawolves!

What advice would you give Stony Brook grad students looking to become teachers?

Justin: Charlie has invited me back to campus to speak to some of his classes. And something I always encourage them to do is put in the work. Take time to learn different resources and instructional strategies from your cooperating teachers and Stony Brook professors. And figure out your own ways of implementing them. Remember that all of this experience will go on your resume for your teaching career. 

Austin: I completely agree. Take advantage of your student teaching experience. Ask questions, be curious. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just because a lesson doesn’t go the way you planned doesn’t mean you can’t tweak it to make it better. And don’t be afraid to try new things in the classroom.

Justin: And lastly, make sure you’re going into teaching because you’re passionate about molding young minds — not just so you have the summers off.

Austin: I was going to say that!

-Christine McGrath