Joanne Russo-Rubino's Biography

Photo courtesy of Joanne Rubino

Joanne Patricia Russo was born in New York City. Although her parents, Ala and Michael, lived in New Jersey, Ala wanted to be near her mother when she gave birth. So, Joanne was born in Mother Cabrini Hospital in Manhattan. Afterwards, the family moved frequently, living in New York, New Jersey and Georgia.

When Joanne was nine, she left Georgia and moved to the old neighborhood, Little Italy in the Bronx, where she became more familiar with her Italian American background. She attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School, and to avoid being bullied by some very tough girls, she quickly shed her Southern accent. Although she managed to become accepted by her peers, she was an indifferent student. Despite this, she was still ambitious, wanting to go to college and to pursue a career in public service. When she was accepted into St. John’s University, she really blossomed, eventually receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology as well as meeting her fellow student and future husband, Frank Rubino.

Joanne’s very first job was with the Bronxdale Senior Citizens Center, where she helped seniors access services and benefits. There, she became interested in health issues and soon attended New York University, receiving a master’s in Public Health Administration. She was hired by the New York City Department of Health as a staff analyst and was promoted to chief analyst, writing grants, responding to complaints from the public and elected officials, and analyzing statistics.

After her marriage, she and Frank bought a house in the Pelham Gardens section of the Bronx, where they remain to this day. They became parents to two wonderful boys, Joseph and Christopher, which is when Joanne realized her most important role in life, that of being a mother. She became involved in the parent’s associations in both of her sons’ schools, and then realized that she wanted to spend the rest of her working life with children and made the decision to pursue a career in education.

After her sons started attending elementary school, Joanne became a substitute teacher in Bronx School District 11 and was appointed as a social studies teacher to Middle School 135. There, she began to notice that some children had many issues, and they were just as indifferent about academics as she used to be. She remembered how hard it was to concentrate when there was so much turmoil in the world surrounding her, and decided to become a guidance counselor. She attended the College of New Rochelle and received her master’s in Guidance and Counseling. In her new role, she was in the unique position to help children succeed and overcome their obstacles, working in various schools, M.S. 135, P.S. 78 and, from 2006 to 2016, P.S. 83, where she enjoyed working with fifth, sixth and seventh graders more than any other age group.

Also in 2006, Joanne was thrilled to be asked to join the Executive Board of FIAME (Forum of Italian American Educators). She worked on various committees and is currently the chairperson for the organization’s annual dinner dance journal. She also coordinates their annual book talk, arranging to have Italian American authors present their works to FIAME members. She also handles FIAME’s communications and publicizes their special events. In 2016, she received FIAME’s prestigious Dominic Capone Service Award.

After Joanne’s children entered college, she decided to concentrate on community activities and was appointed to Community Board 11 in 2003 by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. She worked on many committees such as Parks & Recreation, Sanitation & Environmental Protection and Economic Development, and from 2012 to 2015, she served as Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Committee. In 2015, she was elected to her current position on the Executive Board as Second Vice Chair.

Joanne is proud of her Italian American heritage and is grateful for the support of her family in helping her achieve her goals. She is also grateful for the opportunities she has had in serving her students and community alike.