|
|
June 14, 2022 | Issue No. 61 |
|
Congratulations to Some Amazing Educators! |
|
A Message from President Perry Fuchs
Good afternoon Sisters and Brothers of the Plainedge Federation of Teachers. I hope this newsletter finds all of our members healthy and looking forward to some well-deserved rest as we approach summer vacation!! As with every year, this past May, we had another dedicated group of educators and PFT members who were granted tenure by the Plainedge BOE. Despite what many in society think, tenure is not a guaranteed job for life; rather, it is simply the right to due process before being disciplined or terminated from a teaching position. It is granted by the BOE upon recommendation from the Superintendent of Schools. Earning tenure as an educator in NYS is truly a rigorous process: Newly hired educators must go through one of the longest probationary periods (4 years) of any profession that grants tenure. The members featured below have gone above and beyond in their first few years here in Plainedge and have truly earned the distinction of being recognized for tenure. We wish them much luck and success as they begin the next phase of their careers. Keep up the good work!! In solidarity.
|
|
Lalaena has spent her entire time in Plainedge so far as a literacy coach at Charles E. Schwarting Elementary School. Prior to joining us here in Plainedge, she spent many years working for the NYC BOE at PS50Q in Jamaica and PS 193 in Whitestone.
When questioned about the people she would like to thank, Lalaena stated, “I would like to thank the amazing team of teachers I work with. They have made my job a pleasure from day one. I am thankful to be able to work to support them every day. I would like to thank my coaching team. We are a true team, and together we are stronger than we are apart. I am truly amazed by what we have accomplished these past few years, and I learn from each of them every day. I would also like to thank my administration. They have always supported me and offered me guidance. Their mentorship has made me a better educator, and I learn from them every day.”
Although Lalaena doesn’t have any special plans for celebrating her tenure appointment this time around, Lalaena did say that she was very happy to be a part of the education team here in Plainedge and felt very fortunate to be a member of the PFT!
|
|
For the last four years, Kristina has been educating students at Charles E. Schwarting Elementary School as a reading teacher. Before making Plainedge her home, Kristina had the opportunity to work in Glen Cove as a reading teacher, Oceanside as an AIS specialist, and Farmingdale in their UPK program.
When asked about the people she is most grateful to for helping her reach this milestone in her career, Kristina said, “I would like to thank our principal, Mrs. Thearle, and everyone at Schwarting for all of their support, and for making me feel at home since my very first day in the building. I would also like to thank my fellow members of Schwarting's AIS Team for being the most amazing and supportive coworkers, mentors, and friends. They exemplify what it means to be a dream team."
After receiving tenure, Kristina plans to have a celebratory dinner with family and friends and will also be celebrating this summer by spending a few weeks in her happy place: Lake George. According to Kristina, “Being a Reading Teacher has always been my dream job, and receiving tenure in such a special district is truly an honor.”
|
|
Melissa is incredibly excited to be receiving tenure as a TA. She has spent the last four years working with an amazing group of students in John H. West’s Life Skills Program. This is not Melissa’s first time as an educator, however, as she began her teaching career over 10 years ago in a private school teaching fifth and sixth grade science, along with the PreK for All program. After leaving private school and coming to Plainedge, Melissa feels privileged to spend her entire tenure here so far working in the John H. West Elementary School.
Outside of school, Melissa likes to spend time with her husband and her 3 cats. She also enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time at the beach. The most exciting news, though, is that Melissa and her husband are excited to be expecting their first child come this August!
When asked if there is anyone she would like to thank for getting her to this point in her career, Melissa offered, “I couldn’t be where I am today without the support and encouragement of my husband and my family. I would also like to thank the supportive team that I work with for helping me reach this milestone.”
|
|
Debra, or as her friends call her “DJ”, has been a teaching assistant at Schwarting Elementary School for the last 4 years. DJ’s career in education began after receiving her Baccalaureate and Master’s degree, both from Hofstra University. After graduate school, she had the privilege of educating children in a few districts, including North Babylon, Bay Shore and West Islip. Upon obtaining her permanent certification, she made the difficult decision to take a leave from education in order to raise her three children. During that time, she kept her foot in education by staying heavily involved in her home district of West Islip with the PTA, school functions, along with being class mom for her children. DJ continued to coach lacrosse and field hockey for high school, middle school, PAL and LYSGYL. Eventually, when her husband retired from the NYPD, she returned to the workforce, teaching students in the Oceanside School District. While in Oceanside, she functioned as a physical education teacher for kindergarten that included a self-contained class, a push in for adaptive PE for elementary students with various disabilities, as well as a permanent middle school substitute. As much as DJ loved her position in Oceanside, she was hoping to find something closer to home. She considers herself very fortunate to come across Plainedge and is so thankful to be a part of the Plainedge family.
When asked if there was anyone special she would like to thank for helping her to receive tenure, DJ replied, “A super special thank you to my family for their patience and support. To Room 15, especially Matthew Grucci and Lisa Caufield, I am so grateful to be a part of this class. Thank you for helping me achieve this milestone. To Jenn Thearle and Joseph Maisano, thank you for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. And to the awesome people in the office, my hallway and those who pop in or pass by our room, you help make this a great place to work. Thank you!”
|
|
Dan has spent his tenure period at Plainedge Middle School teaching 7th and 8th grade English and Reading. Before joining our family here in Plainedge, he taught for twelve years across five schools, including three different Catholic Schools in the Brooklyn Diocese, along with educating children in ELA and Technology for the NYC Department of Education. When Dan was excessed from Plainedge after two years, he had the opportunity to teach 8th grade ELA at Baldwin Middle School; however, he jumped at the chance to come back to Plainedge when retirements opened up his previously held position. He was very excited to come back to Plainedge and thrilled to be granted tenure this year after a difficult multi-year journey
When asked who has helped him reach this important landmark in his career, he expressed, “I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way to reach this moment. From the members of the hiring committee that brought me into the district to Jonathan Kowalik, who served as my mentor during my first year, my incredible colleagues in the ELA department, especially Ginny Barbara and Heather Meidinger, with whom I have the privilege to work alongside every day, and most importantly to my wife, Denise, who supports me so much through my crazy life as a teacher.”
To celebrate this accomplishment, his family treated him to a beautiful dinner. It was at this moment that Dan was amazed to look around the table and realize that between his mother, aunt, cousins, and himself, there were 114 years of teaching experience present. Dan couldn’t help but reflect, “It’s certainly humbling to be a part of that.”
In addition to everyone at the Middle School, Dan wants to thank the entire PFT for all their help, guidance, and support over the years, and he looks forward to a long time working alongside his wonderful colleagues.
|
|
Brianna came to Plainedge after a few years of teaching middle school science for the NYCDOE in Middle Village, Queens. Although she currently teaches Special Education ICT Math and Science at Plainedge Middle School, she also spent some of her time here educating students in the high school on a variety of subjects, including Biology, Conservation Science, and ICT Astronomy. Having grown up and currently living very close to Plainedge, Brianna was overjoyed when she was hired by the district and couldn’t be more exited and honored to be receiving tenure this year as a Special Education teacher.
When asked to reflect on her journey here so far in Plainedge, Brianna explained, “From day one, I was welcomed to the district with open arms by every individual that I came across. I was truly blown away by how welcoming and helpful everyone was. I felt right at home. It is truly a blessing to be able to walk into work every day with a smile on my face because I not only love what I do, but I love where I work. I am beyond lucky to be a part of the Plainedge family, and I look forward to spending the remainder of my career employed by such an amazing district, surrounded by such wonderful individuals.”
|
|
Ronna has taken on many roles throughout her time in Plainedge. She started out as a substitute at John H. West and then became a Teaching Assistant for grades 1,2,3 and 4. Ronna had the opportunity to then become a 4th grade leave replacement at Schwarting, which led her to her current 2nd grade position at Eastplain where she is receiving tenure. Throughout this time, Ronna explained that she has had the opportunity to work with and alongside many amazing colleagues that supported her and helped her get to where she is today. Ronna elaborated, “I am forever thankful for all of them being on this journey with me in some way. The love, guidance, and encouragement from my parents, family, and friends have also been a huge support in reaching this milestone over the years.”
To celebrate this momentous occasion, one which she feels is the best and proudest accomplishment of her life so far, she will be enjoying a dinner together with her family, who this would not have been possible without. According to Ronna, “I am so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful district and community, that makes both living and working in Plainedge such an amazing experience. I am looking forward to many more dedicated years here.”
|
|
For the past 4 years, Alex has been honored to work as a special education teacher at John H. West Elementary School in the life skills program teaching grades 3-5. Prior to joining the Plainedge family, she was a first grade teacher at a Catholic school in Woodside, Queens. Alex has actually been in Plainedge for longer than her four-year probationary period, beginning her journey in Plainedge as a teaching assistant in the life skills program.
When asked if she would like to thank anyone for his or her help in achieving tenure, Alex responded, “I would like to thank my husband and my family for always supporting me. I would also like to thank my colleagues for helping me get to where I am today.”
In order to celebrate this well-deserved accomplishment, Alex will be going out to a big family dinner, which will of course include her brand new baby girl. While reflecting on this milestone, Alex offered, “I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing community and district.”
|
|
Caitlin came to Plainedge in 2018, after starting her teaching career in the Levittown School District, as a math and ELA interventionist at Northside Elementary School. She earned her first position in Plainedge as a 4th grade leave replacement at Schwarting Elementary School. For the past 3 years, Caitlin has been educating students at the middle school as a social studies and ELA teacher, working in both the mainstream and ICT settings.
When asked about the people she is most grateful to for helping her reach this milestone in her career, Caitlin reflected, “So many people at Plainedge have guided me and supported me to reach this accomplishment today. I am extremely grateful to my mentors, teams, co-teachers, department, the PFT, and everyone who I had the pleasure of learning from and working with.”
Like many other of our tenure recipients, Caitlin planned on celebrating her achievement with friends and family at a special dinner. According to Caitlin, “Our school district is an amazing place to work with so many positive, creative, collaborative and kind people here at Plainedge.”
|
|
Help build our email list...
Visit Plainedgeteachers.org to enter your information to receive official news from the Plainedge Federation of Teachers. After filling out the form on the website please check your email to confirm your subscription, thank you!
Can we email the union office through The Edge?
It is important to note that when we send out The Edge e-newsletter, responses can not be replied to so if you are having contractual issues, you still must contact your PFT Building Representative or call the union office at 516-992-7479.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
