Sitting among an audience of about 120 people at Wantagh High School on May 7 were 17 educators celebrating a milestone moment. One by one they were called up, received a yellow flower from Superintendent John McNamara and took in the applause.

The district’s annual tenure celebration honored 13 faculty members and four administrators who successfully completed their probationary periods. Mr. McNamara noted that it was the largest group to receive tenure at once in his decade plus in the Wantagh. 

“This is such an important milestone,” he said. “It’s a long process – four years. We have extremely high expectations here in terms of staff. I have to confidently say to the board of education that these are educators we want to invest in for potentially 30 years. I can’t be more confident in this group.”

Mr. McNamara spoke for a few minutes about each tenure candidate. For the 13 faculty members, which included teachers, psychologists, social workers and speech therapists, he noted their growth over the past four years, involvement in the school community and connections with children.

The administrators receiving tenure, Mr. McNamara noted, bring great knowledge to the district, are a tremendous resource for staff, are highly professional, successfully implement new initiatives and do the “little things” that often go unnoticed. Tenure for all 17 candidates was made official at the board of education meeting that followed the reception. 

This year’s tenure recipients are: 

• Jessica Akapnitis, kindergarten teacher, Forest Lake Elementary School.
• Melissa Beckler, social studies teacher, Wantagh Middle School.
• Emily Bogart, psychologist, Forest Lake. 
• Thomas Brody, orchestra teacher, middle school.
• James Brostowski, physical education teacher, Wantagh Elementary School.
• Thomas Burke, principal, Forest Lake.
• Maura Lachance, supervisor of special education.
• Mackenzie Maloney, special education and reading teacher, Mandalay Elementary School.
• Emily McCann, speech therapist, Mandalay Elementary School.
• Karen Pass, reading teacher, Wantagh Elementary.
• Rachel Quattrocchi, assistant principal, middle school.
• Nicholas Roberts, math teacher, Wantagh High School.
• Jaclyn Rossi, reading teacher, Forest Lake and Wantagh Elementary.
• Nicole Silvar, fifth grade teacher, Wantagh Elementary.
• Erin Smith, social worker, middle school.