GC School District Welcomes New Teachers

As a part of New Teacher Orientation, Garden City's new teachers were given a bus tour of the school district and an overview of the city's fascinating history by Town Historian Mr. John Ellis Kordes (pictured in bus doorway). Garden City Public Schools is pleased to welcome twenty-four new teachers to the district for the 2008-2009 school year. All of the new-to-the-district teachers bring prior teaching experience to their appointments and impressive educational credentials, including degrees from Columbia University, Boston College, New York University, Villanova University and Georgetown University. "You are the best of the best," commented Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen in his welcome to the teachers at New Teacher Orientation. "We have a very rigorous selection process and we are pledged to your success - your success is our success."

Mr. Fino Celano, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, framed the search results for the teachers: "The district received over 20,000 applications for the 24 available positions. You should feel really good about being selected. Garden City is a top-notch district and much will be expected of you, but much support will be offered."

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert Feirsen, instructed the new teachers with an informative PowerPoint explaining the Wiggins & McTighe learning framework - Understanding by Design - which aligns with the most current brain research on how people learn with curriculum content/lesson planning. That support structure quickly became apparent as the new teachers participated in three days of intensive preparation in late August. After receiving a warm welcome from Board of Education President Colleen E. Foley, the teachers received a wealth of information from district administrators including: District Instructional Goals presented by Dr. Teresa Prendergast, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Business Office Procedures presented by Mr. Bruce Kemmlein, District Accountant; NYS Right-to-Know Training presented by Mr. Steve Jacobs, BOCES specialist; Special Education in Garden City presented by Ms. Catherine Wheeler, Director of Pupil Personnel Services; Annual Professional Performance Review Plan presented by Mr. Fino Celano, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel; a bus tour of the School District led by Village Historian Mr. John Ellis Kordes; a pedagogical workshop, Understanding by Design, presented by Superintendent Feirsen; information about and introductions to the new teachers' mentors led by Teacher Mentor Program Coordinator, Mrs. Jacqueline Guerra; a presentation by Mr. Scott McAuley, President of the Garden City Teachers Association; an overview of the Athletic Program by Athletic Director, Ms. Nancy Kalafus; a Technology Workshop and Training Sessions on the use of multiple district-wide hardware and software programs by Dr. Rita Melikian, Director of Educational Technology and Staff Development; as well as meetings with the individual building Principals and content area Coordinators.

Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Mr. Fino Celano, explained the district's approach to ongoing staff development and differentiated teacher evaluation in his Annual Professional Performance Review presentation to the new teachers. The 3-day New Teacher Orientation program not only prepared Garden City's new teachers for their roles in the school district with in-depth professional presentations, but also encouraged interactive time among the teachers to open channels of communication and to foster the development of collegial circles, so vital to teachers as they assimilate into their new school environment.

During a small group exercise, Ms. Niki Paloubis (left) and Ms. Kimberly Antenovich work together to develop educational Understanding by Design strategies at this year's New Teacher Orientation program. "We look forward to working with you in the coming year," stated Dr. Feirsen to the new teachers. "We are committed to best practices and we are interested in outcomes. Our children are wonderful - they are respectful good citizens - and we have wonderfully supportive parents. Because they want their children to be the best, they want you to be the best."

Garden City is pleased to announce the appointments of the following professionals for the 2008-2009 school year:

Dr. Teresa Prendergast, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, presented a comprehensive introduction to Curriculum and Instruction in the Garden City Schools beginning with the District's Mission Statement and 2008-2009 Educational Goals and flowing through all content areas. "We refuse to accept mediocrity here in Garden City," she commented to the new teachers, "we set the educational bar high." Nanine Cuttitta

Principal, High School

Nanine Cuttitta has a B.S. in Social Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook and an M.S. in Social Studies and a P.D. in Educational Administration from LIU, C.W. Post College. Ms. Cuttitta has been the Principal of Deer Park High School since July 2002. At Deer Park, she also served as Assistant Principal from July 2000 to June 2002, Social Studies Department Chairperson from July 1999 to June 2000, and Social Studies teacher from September 1996 to July 1999. Ms. Cuttitta was a Social Studies teacher at Junior High School 50, Williamsburg, NY from February 1993 to June 1996. She has permanent New York State certification in Social Studies 7-12 and as School District Administrator. Garden City welcomes Ms. Cuttitta as Principal of the High School.

Bernadette Arnone, 6-12 English Department

High School/Middle School , Curriculum Coordinator

Bernadette Arnone has a B.A. in liberal arts with a concentration in English Literature from Adelphi University and an M.S. in Secondary Education/English and a P.D. in Educational Administration from LIU, C. W. Post College. Ms. Arnone has been English Department Chair at Baldwin Sr. High School from September 1998 to the present. Prior to that, she served as an English teacher at Baldwin High School. She has permanent New York State certification as School District Administrator and English 7-12. Ms. Arnone is replacing Kim Hardwick who resigned.

Dr. Nina Prasso,

District Coordinator of Music and the Arts

Dr. Nina Prasso has a B.A. and an M.S. in Music Education from Queens College, a Specialist Diploma in Administration and Supervision and an Ed.D. from Teachers' College, Columbia University. Dr. Prasso served as Director of Art and Music in the East Islip School District from 2003 to the present. She was Coordinator of Music and Fine Arts in the Lindenhurst Public Schools from 2001 to 2003 and a music teacher in the New York City Public Schools from 1991-2001. Dr. Prasso has permanent New York State certification as School District Administrator, School Administrator/Supervisor and in music K-12. She is replacing Jim McCrann who has returned to full-time teaching.

Catherine Knight,

Coordinator of Public Information District

Catherine Knight has a B.S. in art education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. in fine arts from LIU, C.W. Post College and an S.D.A. from SUNY Stony Brook. Ms. Knight has been Administrative Assistant for Community Services in the Hicksville Public Schools since 2006. She has taught K-8 art education at East Woods School, Oyster Bay; Cold Spring Harbor Public Schools; and Harbor Country Day School, Saint James. She has permanent New York State certification in art K-12 and as a School District Administrator. Ms. Knight is replacing Patrice Benneward who resigned.

Kristen Aguilo

English, High School

Kristen Aguilo has a B.S. in Secondary Education from Villanova University and an M.A. in applied education/psychology-reading specialist from Teachers' College, Columbia University. Ms. Aguilo has been an English teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School, Fresh Meadows, New York from September 2005 to the present. She has initial New York State certification in English 7-12. Ms. Aguilo will be filling in for Patricia Scarantino who is on a child care leave of absence.

Antonietta Alagna

Elementary Education, Stewart School

Antonietta Alagna has a B.S. in Childhood Education and an M.S. in Literacy from LIU/C.W. Post College. Ms. Alagna was a regular substitute elementary education teacher at Stewart School in the spring of the 2007-08 school year. She has initial New York State certification in childhood education 1-6. Ms. Alagna is being assigned to Stewart School filling in for Kelly Benito who is on a child care leave of absence.

Kimberly Antunovich

Special Education, Middle School

Kimberly Antunovich has a B.A. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina. Ms. Antunovich was a regular substitute special education teacher at the middle school from March 2008 through June 2008. She has initial New York State certification in students with disabilities 1-6 and students with disabilities generalist 5-9. Ms. Antunovich is being assigned to the middle school filling in for Lynnette Shaw who is on a child care leave of absence.

Michael Berg

World Language, High School

Michel Berg has a B.A. in Spanish with a Secondary Education concentration from St. Joseph's College. Mr. Berg was a student teacher at Longwood Junior High School, Middle Island, NY and at Sachem High School, Ronkonkoma, NY in the spring of 2008. He has initial New York State certification in Spanish 7-12. Mr. Berg is being assigned to the high school replacing Walter Koob who resigned.

Destiny Braddick

Elementary Education, Hemlock School

Destiny Braddick has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in literacy from St. John's University. Ms. Braddick was an elementary education teacher at Beekman Hill Elementary Public School 50, New York City, from August 2005 to June 2008 and at Eubie Blake Elementary Public School 25, Brooklyn, where she received tenure. She has permanent New York State certification in elementary education N-6. Ms. Braddick is being assigned to Hemlock School replacing Elizabeth Seibold who retired.

Maura Cashin

School Psychologist, Non-Public Schools

Maura Cashin has a B.A. in Psychology from Boston College and an Ed.M. in School Psychology from Teachers' College, Columbia University. Ms. Cashin has been a school psychologist in the North Merrick School District from September 2001 through June 2006 and was a contracted employee of Garden City Public Schools to conduct psychological assessments for non-public school students from February 2007 to the present. She has permanent New York State certification as a school psychologist. Ms. Cashin is being assigned to the non-public schools.

Ashley Cole

Elementary Education, Stewart School

Ashley Cole has a B.A. in Elementary Education and Human Development and an M.A. in Education from Boston College Lynch School of Education. Ms. Cole has been a leave replacement elementary education teacher at East Hills Elementary School, Roslyn Heights, in 2008 and a teacher-aide at Center Street Elementary School from September 2006 through June 2007. She has initial New York State certification in childhood education 1-6 and students with disabilities 1-6. Ms. Cole is being assigned to Stewart School filling in for Mary Pat Lang who is on a child care leave of absence.

Michele Degati

Social Worker, Stewart/Stratford Schools

Michele Degati has a B.A. in Psychology from Marist College and an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University. Ms. Degati has been a school social worker at the School for Community Research and Learning, Bronx, since September 2005. She has permanent New York State certification as a social worker. Ms. Degati is being assigned to the elementary schools replacing Staci Sherman who resigned.

Diane Dolan

English, High School

Diane Dolan has a B.A. in Comparative Government from Georgetown University, an M.A. in English from New York University, and an M.A. in Secondary English Education from Boston College. Ms. Dolan has been a regular substitute English teacher at Garden City High School since January 2008. She has provisional New York State certification in English 7-12. Ms. Dolan is being assigned to the high school replacing Nicholas Feulner who resigned.

Erin Donoghue

ESL, Primary/Elementary Schools

Erin Donoghue has a B.A. in English from Dominican College, Blauvelt, New York, an M.S. in Literacy from Queens College and a certificate in ESL from St. John's University. Ms. Donoghue has been an elementary education/ESL teacher at P.S. 68Q, Ridgewood, New York from September 2003 to the present where she received tenure. She has permanent New York State certification in elementary education N-6 and initial New York State certification in ESL. Ms. Donoghue is being assigned to the primary and elementary schools replacing Eileen Eder who retired.

Lauren Dunne

Social Studies, High School

Lauren Dunne has a B.S. in Adolescence Education: Social Studies from LIU, C. W. Post College. Ms. Dunne has been a Social Studies teacher at LaBelle High School, LaBelle, Florida, from September 2006 to the present. She has initial New York State certification in social studies 7-12. Ms. Dunne is being assigned to a new position at the high school.

Antonietta Gutierrez

FLES, Stewart School

Antonietta Gutierrez has a B.A. in Italian from Queens College and an M.A. in TESOL from Adelphi University. Ms. Gutierrez has been an ESL teacher at the Bayview Avenue Elementary School, Freeport, since September 2005. She has initial New York State certification in Spanish 1-6 Extension, Italian 1-6 Extension, Spanish 7-12, Italian 7-12, and English to Speakers of other Languages K-12. This is a new position at Stewart School.

Sarah Kashetta

Elementary Education, Stewart School

Sarah Kashetta has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Boston College and an M.S. in Special Education from LIU, C.W. Post College. Ms. Kashetta was an elementary education teacher at Half Hollow Hills School District from September 2007 through June 2008. She has initial New York State certification in childhood education 1-6 and students with disabilities 1-6. Ms. Kashetta is being assigned to Stewart School replacing Elizabeth Crimmins who resigned.

Tammy Kear

Special Education, High School

Tammy Kear has a B.A. in Social Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook and an M.A. in Adolescent Education and Mathematics from Adelphi University. Ms. Kear has been a special education mathematics teacher at Calhoun High School, Merrick, New York since November 2006. She has initial New York State certification in students with disabilities-mathematics 7-12 and mathematics 7-12. Ms. Kear is being assigned to the high school replacing Janis Mazza who resigned.

Monica Mejia

Social Studies, High School

Monica Mejia has a B.A. in History from New York University and an M.S. in Secondary Education - Social Studies from Hofstra University. Ms. Mejia was a social studies teacher at Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers, New York City, from September 2005 through August 2007 and an English instructor at NOVA Corp in Tokyo, Japan, from September 2007 to the present. She has initial New York State certification in social studies 7-12. Ms. Mejia is being assigned to the high school replacing Jeffrey Fowler who resigned.

Melina Mendelson

School Psychologist, High School/Middle School

Melina Mendelson has a B.A. in Psychology from Queens College and an M.Ed. in school psychology from Teachers' College, Columbia University. Ms. Mendelson was a school psychologist at Edmund W. Miles Middle School, Amityville, from September to the present, at Park Avenue Elementary School, Amityville, from September 2002 through June 2003, and at Amityville Memorial High School from November 2001 through June 2002. She has permanent New York State certification as school psychologist. Ms. Mendelson is being assigned to the high school and middle school replacing Kim Gennari-Walker who resigned.

Niki Paloubis

English, Middle School

Niki Paloubis has a B.A. in British and American literature from New York University and an M.S. in adolescent education from LIU, C. W. Post College. Ms. Paloubis was a leave replacement English teacher at Hicksville High School from February 2008 through May 2008. She has initial New York State certification in English Language Arts 7-12. Ms. Paloubis is being assigned to the middle school replacing Teresa Raffaelli who resigned.

Jennifer Pomponio

Health/Physical Education, High School

Jennifer Pomponio has a B.S. in Health and Physical Education and an M.A. in Health Education from Adelphi University. Ms. Pomponio has been a physical education/health education teacher at Deer Park High School since September 2002 where she was tenured. She has permanent New York State certification in health education K-12 and physical education K-12. Ms. Pomponio is being assigned to the high school replacing Thomas Schalk who retired.

Cynthia Quarantello

Special Education, High School

Cynthia Quarantello has a B.A. in History and Secondary Education and an M.S. in Special Education from Hofstra University. Ms. Quarantello has been a special education teacher at Madonna Heights School, Dix Hills, since September 2006. She has initial New York State certification in students with disabilities-social studies 7-12 and social studies 6-12. This is a new position at the high school.

Michael Stano

Science, High School

Michael Stano has a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Stony Brook and an M.S. in Earth Science Education from LIU, C.W. Post College. Mr. Stano has been a science teacher at Deer Park High School since February 2005. He has initial New York State certification in biology 7-12 and earth science 7-12. Mr. Stano is being assigned to the high school replacing Phyllis Unger who resigned.

Katherine Thullen

Special Education, High School

Katherine Thullen has a B.S. in Secondary Education with a concentration in Political Science from the University of Scranton. Ms. Thullen was a leave replacement social studies teacher at Eastport South Manor Junior Senior High School, Manorville, during the 2007-08 school year. She has initial New York State certification in students with disabilities 7-12 and social studies 7-12. This is a new position at the high school.

Maureen Todd

Elementary Education, Stewart School

Maureen Todd has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Childhood Education from Adelphi University. Ms. Todd has been a regular substitute elementary education teacher at Stewart School since January 2008 and a teacher-aide at Stewart School from September 2007 to January 2008. She has initial New York State certification in childhood education 1-6. Ms. Todd is being assigned to Stewart School filling in for Debra Sarkis who is on a child care leave of absence.

Elizabeth Wills

Special Education, Hemlock School

Elizabeth Wills has a B.A. in Communication Disorders from SUNY at New Paltz and an M.S. in Reading and Special Education from Dowling College. Ms. Wills has been a special education teacher at P.S. 63Q, Ozone Park, New York from September 2001 to June 2005. She has permanent New York State certification in special education K-12. This is a new position at Hemlock School.

Michael Zagari

Social Studies, Middle School

Michael Zagari has a B.A. in History from LIU, C.W. Post College and an M.S. in Social Studies education from Hofstra University. Mr. Zagari was a teaching assistant at John Glenn High School, Elwood, from September 2006 to January 2008. He student taught at the Garden City Middle School during the spring of 2008. Mr. Zagari has initial New York State certification in social studies 7-12. He is being assigned to the middle school replacing Steven Love who resigned.