by Charis Marshal, Student Public Relations Writer
Elementary school teacher Maggie Torlone doesn’t just teach multiplication and reading comprehension—she builds trust, models unconditional love and meets her students where they are.
“It all starts with this desire to love children,” said Torlone, now in her second year at Brookside Elementary School in Worthington City Schools. “That is why I wanted to be a teacher.”
Cedarville Grad Shines in Worthington Schools
Torlone, a 2024 graduate of Cedarville University with a degree in early childhood education, was drawn to Worthington for its culture of care—from the superintendent’s office to the classroom. Her respect for Worthington’s leadership and fellow teachers was reciprocated as district leaders noticed something special about Torlone, inviting her to be a guest on the “Worth the Journey” podcast at the beginning and end of her first year.
In the initial podcast, the assistant superintendents, Angie Adrean and Jeff Maddox, highlighted how Torlone earned the Golden Trashcan Award, given for keeping her classroom tidy, just two weeks into her first year. In this podcast, Torlone also shared her background, what led her to Worthington City Schools and the encouraging experiences in her first few weeks as a teacher.
Bringing Faith into a Secular Setting
Having grown up attending public schools, Torlone understands the unique challenges that come with being a Christian educator in a secular environment.
“I knew what it was like being a believer as a student in public schools,” she said. “Growing up in public schools helped keep my expectations realistic. It is definitely hard. My heart is constantly breaking for the world and the sin I see around me. But Cedarville prepared me to show Jesus’ love to my kids and coworkers every single day.”
That mission has taken her beyond the classroom. During her first year, Torlone attended students’ baseball and football games, building relationships that let her love students not just as learners but as people.
“These kids need a constant person in their lives who is going to love them in the way that no one else can — because that love is from Jesus,” she said. “That keeps me going every single day.”
A Classroom of Safety and Love
Torlone said her goal goes far beyond test scores or academic standards.
“I want them to know they are so unconditionally loved,” she said. “Yes, I want them to learn their ABCs or their multiplication facts. But more importantly, I want each student to walk out of my classroom every day knowing, ‘Ms. Torlone loves me, and I am safe in her room.’”
At the end of her first year, the superintendents invited Torlone back on the podcast to reflect on what she had learned as a first-year teacher. She spoke about balancing her roles as a full-time teacher, a Young Life leader, a daughter and a friend. Along the way, she developed stronger time management skills and a clearer sense of calling — even as she saw firsthand the spiritual needs around her.
“I love kids, I love teaching and I love learning,” said Torlone. “But at the end of the day, these kids need Jesus, and my coworkers need Jesus.”
Continuing the Mission in Year Two
Now in her second year of teaching, Torlone continues her work at Brookside and has been encouragedto hear how both former and current students have been touched by her kind words and loving heart.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
