Gabriella Justino is a person who is full of dedication, growth, and a strong desire to help others succeed. Currently working as a paraprofessional, she is also an assistant softball coach at Cardozo, where she is able to combine her love for sports with supporting young students.
Although her path was not something that was clearly planned out, Justino believes that her experiences her experiences have helped shaped her into becoming the caring role model she is today.
After high school, she opted to pursue a different route than the traditional “attending college after graduation” pathway. However, after some time, she made the decision to return to school and is attending Queensborough Community College in the fall to begin her career in speech therapy. This decision reflects her realization that education is important. She even shared that if she could give advice to her younger self, it would be to take school more seriously and stay more focused on long-term goals.
Justino ended up at Cardozo unexpectedly. She saw an opening on SubCentral and decided to apply to become a paraprofessional. Finding a place where she felt comfortable was important, and Justino shared she had a “positive” impression of the school. She described it as a great environment and mentioned that she was already familiar with it from her high school years, which made the transition easier. She also highlighted how much she enjoys the people she works with, which has made her experience even more rewarding.
In her career as a paraprofessional, Justino plays an important role in the classroom. Her main responsibility is to support students who need extra help, including those with learning or physical disabilities. She works closely with both students and teachers, assisting wherever she is needed throughout the day. Her job requires patience, understanding, and adaptability. One of the biggest challenges she faces is managing student behavior, especially when students do not respond well to authority. To overcome this, she focuses on adjusting her approach and finding ways to connect with each student individually.
Outside the classroom, Justino’s passion for softball has been a major part of her life. She has been playing since she was about four or five years old, and her love for the sport has never faded. She played on travel teams, including Team Long Island, from a young age and continued through high school. During her travel team experience, she played as a catcher. In high school, she took on the role of pitcher. Even today, she continues to play, showing her long-lasting commitment to the sport.
Her involvement in softball naturally led her to coaching. Justino approached the Cardozo softball coaches and offered her help, especially because of her experience as a pitcher. They welcomed her onto the team, and she now helps train players and develop their skills. As a coach, she focuses on key areas such as hand-eye coordination, fielding, and hitting. For pitchers, she emphasizes repetition and understanding the mental side of the game. She believes that softball is not just physical but also highly mental, and players must stay confident and focused.
When it comes to preventing injuries, Justino stresses the importance of proper care and preparation. She recommends stretching before and after games and icing the arm regularly, especially for pitchers. She also reminds players to take care of their mental health, as staying calm and confident can make a big difference in performance.
One of the most important qualities she looks for in players is ambition. She values individuals who are eager to improve, open to learning, and willing to put in the effort to succeed.
When describing herself, Justino chose the words “ambitious” and “kindhearted,” showing both her drive and her compassion for others.
Although her childhood dream was to become a sports commentator, Justino has found a meaningful path that allows her to impact others in a positive way. With plans to continue her education and become a speech therapist, her journey is far from over. Gabriella Justino’s story is a powerful reminder that success does not always follow a straight line, and with determination and heart, it is always possible to grow and achieve new goals.
