A dozen educators from the Wantagh School District received tenure at the May 4 board of education meeting, a testament to their hard work over the past four years as well as their bright futures.
At a tenure reception ceremony, the board of education and central administration recognized a total of 15 teachers, including three who received tenure earlier in the school year. Superintendent John McNamara said tenure is a hard-earned designation, and the result of many observations, evaluations and conferences during their probationary period.
“This is a special night for them,” Mr. McNamara said. “We don’t just want good teachers here in Wantagh, we want outstanding teachers.”
Mr. McNamara, Assistant Superintendent Stephen Moran, Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction Carol-Ann Winans and Director of Human Resources Dr. Stephanie Scolieri said a few words about each of the tenure recipients. Common traits among the newly-tenured educators are their enthusiasm and the strong connections they make with students.
The district congratulates:
Dr. Ariel Adrian, reading teacher, Wantagh Middle School
Samantha Barrett, elementary teacher Wantagh Elementary School
Sameerah Cassidy, music teacher, Wantagh High School
Jeanhee Cho, reading teacher, Mandalay Elementary School
Laura Clarke, special education teacher, Mandalay Elementary School
Kara Desson, special education teacher, Wantagh Middle School
Lauren Furci, guidance counselor, Wantagh Elementary School
Justine Hernandez, world language teacher, Wantagh Middle School
Valerie Gompers, family and consumer sciences teacher, Wantagh High School and Middle School
Erin Joyce, elementary teacher, Mandalay Elementary School
Maria Maleganos, psychologist, Mandalay Elementary School
James Punzone, elementary teacher, Wantagh Elementary School
Kelsey Riegger, special education teacher, Mandalay Elementary School
Nicole Romagnuolo, elementary teacher, Mandalay Elementary School
Dr. Caitlin Wong, psychologist, Wantagh High School