Teacher orientation for all new teachers in the district was held Wednesday, Aug. 22, Thursday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 29. On the first day, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Leitman welcomed the eager faculty and spoke about the endless opportunities available in Garden City for a successful teaching career.

Dr. Leitman focused on how education is rapidly changing and how he is an advocate of the new philosophy of teaching children how to think, analyze and support their ideas. This technique, he said, enables students to learn, understand what they've learned and document their findings. Dr. Leitman also encouraged new teachers to always try to do better and achieve higher educational standards.

The orientation presentation, "Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking," included the following topics:

* Effective Instructional Strategies for all Learners

* Differentiating Instruction to Meet the Needs of All Learners

* Aligning Curriculum & Assessment

* Utilizing Technology to Support Teaching & Learning

During the afternoon session, Dr. Marylou McDermott, assistant superintendent for Instruction & Personnel, and Emma Fraser Pendleton, director of Curriculum & Professional Development, gave a presentation on the professional development plan and the annual performance review plan. New faculty members attended a technology workshop, directed by staff members Joe Papa, Matt Gavin and Scott McCauley, at Stewart School Thursday, Aug. 23 to evaluate and develop technology skills. Papa, Gavin and McCauley emphasized the integration of technology and curriculum in their technology sessions.

Following the workshop, John Powell, assistant superintendent of Business & Finance; Kathy Maher, president, Garden City Teachers Association (GCTA); and Doug Sheer, social studies department chair; gave an overview of district policies and personnel issues.

The administration, board of education, faculty and staff welcome all the new teachers to Garden City and wish them an educational experience of growth and productivity.

A Closer Look at This Year's New Faculty

Dr. Marylou McDermott

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction & Personnel

Dr. Marylou McDermott has a B.A. from Molloy College and a M.S. in teaching and curriculum from St. John's University, a Certificate of Advanced Study from Long Island University, a professional diploma in reading, language and cognition, and an Ed.D. in reading, language and cognition from Hofstra University.

She has been the principal of Stratford School since 1996 and the assistant principal at Stewart School from 1995-96. Prior to that, she served as an assistant to the principal at the William S. Covert Elementary School at Rockville Centre and was an elementary and special education teacher at the Rockville Centre and Oceanside Public Schools.

McDermott was also an adjunct graduate professor for the school of teacher preparation program at Adelphi University. She has a permanent New York State certification in elementary education N-6, reading N-12, social studies 7-12 and New York State certification as school administrator/supervisor. McDermott is filling the position vacated by Dr. Charles Planz.

John T. Powell

Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance

John T. Powell has a BBA in management and an MBA in accounting from Adelphi University and a C.A.S. in Educational Administration from Hofstra University. Powell has been commissioner of finance for the City of White Plains since 1994; assistant to the Superintendent for business in the Sachem Central School District from 1987-1994; and district treasurer and head accountant at the Roosevelt School District from December 1983-June 1987. He has permanent New York State certification as a school district administrator and will be filling the vacancy created by Daniel Bryan's resignation.

Nancy Maher Maxwell

Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Nancy Maher Maxwell has a BA in English and education from Mount St. Mary's College, a M.S. in special education and a P.D. in educational leadership and administration from C.W. Post/LIU, and is a Ph.D. candidate at New York University. Maxwell was the director of Pupil Personnel Services at Springs Union Free School District since July 1999. She has New York State certification as school district administrator and school administrator/supervisor. Maxwell is replacing Eileen Fitzgerald who retired.

Jean Miccio

High School Assistant Principal

Jean Miccio has a BS in Italian education from SUNY Stony Brook and an MS in elementary education and C.A.S. Administration from SUNY New Paltz. Miccio was an assistant principal at John Jay High School in the Wappingers Falls Central School District since 1997 and an assistant principal in the Wappingers Falls Junior High School from 1995-1997. She has permanent New York State certification as a school district administrator, in Italian 7-12 and elementary education N-6. She is the new assistant principal at the Garden City High School.

Kathleen Ackerman

Middle School Special Education Teacher

Kathleen Ackerman has a BS in psychology from Molloy College. She had been a special education teacher at Little Village School in Bellmore during the 2000-01 school year. Ackerman has provisional New York State certification in special education K-12 and elementary education N-6. She is replacing former teacher Michelle Healy who's resigned.

Leslie Blaine

Permanent Special Education Substitute at High School

Leslie Blaine has a BA in elementary education from George Washington University and an MS in special education from Hofstra University. Blaine was a special education teacher's assistant at Great Neck South High School since Oct. 1998. She has permanent New York State certification in special education K-12 and elementary education N-6. Blaine will replace Nanette Melkonian who is on child care leave of absence.

Joanna Carlson

High School English Teacher

Joanna Carlson has a BA in English and psychology from Boston College and an MA in secondary education from Adelphi University. She was an English teacher at Baldwin Senior High School since Sept. 1998 and has provisional New York State certification in English 7-12. She will teach English at the high school.

Susan Connors

Hemlock School Special Education Teacher

Susan Connors has a BA in special education from Goucher College in Maryland. She served as a permanent substitute special education teacher in Hemlock School from March 3-June 30. She has provisional New York State certification in special education K-12. Connors will replace Karen Mulcahy who resigned.

Barbara Demorest

High School Science Teacher

Barbara Demorest has a BA in biology from Adelphi University and an MA in liberal studies from SUNY Stony Brook. Demorest was a biology, chemistry and science teacher at the Seaford School District where she received tenure. She has a permanent New York State certification in biology, chemistry and general science 7-12. She will work in the high school.

Kevin DiBitetto

High School Science Teacher

Kevin DiBitetto has a BA in biology from SUNY Binghamton and an MS in earth science from Adelphi University. DiBitetto has been a science teacher at Valley Stream Central High School since Sept. 1998. He has provisional New York State certification in earth science 7-12 and a New York State Certificate of Qualification in biology-general science 7-12. This is a new position in the high school.

Stephen Finnell

High School Social Studies Teacher

Stephen Finnell has a BA in history from Duke University and an MS in social studies education from Hofstra University. Finnell was a social studies teacher at Mepham High School in Bellmore-Merrick since Sept. 1998, where he received tenure. He has a New York State Certificate of Qualification in social studies 7-12. Finnell will replace Thomas Martin who retired.

Kathleen Giannotta

High School Reading Specialist (part-time)

Kathleen Giannotta has a BS in education and an MA in reading from Adelphi University. Giannotta was a reading specialist at Uniondale Public Schools from 1985-1994 and served as a tutor for Garden City High School students during the 2000-01 school year. She has permanent New York State certification in reading K-12 and elementary education N-6. This is a new position at the high school.

Kelley Gormley

Permanent Special Education Substitute at Middle School

Kelley Gormley has a BA in speech disorders from Queens College and an MS in reading and special education from Dowling College. She was a special education teacher in P.S. 43, Far Rockaway, since 1998. She has permanent New York State certification in special education K-12, reading K-12 and speech K-12. Gormley will replace Jodi Taranto who is taking a leave of absence.

Brad Hepworth

Permanent English Substitute at High School

Brad Hepworth has a BA in English from SUNY Albany and an MS in secondary education from C.W. Post (LIU). Hepworth was an English teacher at the EAC Nassau Developmental Learning Program in Port Washington during the 2000-01 school year. He has provisional New York State certification in English 7-12. Hepworth is replacing Tara Kennan who is on leave.

Gail Issing

Stratford, Homestead Schools Physical Education Teacher

Gail Issing has a BS in physical education and an MA in elementary education from Adelphi University. Issing has served as a teacher's aid at Stratford School since 1998. She was a physical education teacher at Stratford School from 1974-1978. Issing has permanent New York State certification in physical education K-12. She is replacing Tara Nelsen who has transferred to the middle school.

Barbara Kennedy

High School, Middle School Math Teacher

Barbara Kennedy has a BS in materials science and engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MS in mathematics from Hofstra University and a D.M.D. in dental medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Kennedy taught mathematics at the Bethpage School District last semester. She has provisional New York State certification in mathematics 7-12. This is a new position in the middle school and high school.

Stephanie Knebel

Permanent Elementary Education Substitute

Stephanie Knebel has a BS in elementary education from the University of Delaware. She was a kindergarten teacher at St. Anne's School during the 2000-01 school year and was a teacher's aid at Locust School from 1998-2000. She has a New York State Certificate of Qualification in elementary education N-6. She is replacing Diane Hopkins who is on leave.

Mary Kathleen Marschall

Stratford School Permanent Elementary Education Substitute

Mary Kathleen Marschall has a BS in special education from Dowling College. She served as a permanent substitute special education teacher at Stratford School since Feb. 2001. She has a New York State Certificate of Qualification in elementary education N-6 and special education K-12. She is replacing Margaret Eschmann who is on child care leave of absence.

Keith Maurer

High School Music Teacher

Keith Maurer has a BFA in music from City College of New York and an MS in music education from Queens College. Maurer was a music teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School since 1994. He has permanent New York State certification in music K-12. This is a new position at the high school.

Cheryl Mendelsohn

School Psychologist (part-time)

Cheryl Mendelsohn has a BS in psychology from SUNY Oneonta, an MS in education and a professional diploma in school psychology from St. John's University and a Psy.D. in professional psychology from Rutgers University. Mendelsohn served as a school psychologist in various Long Island and New Jersey public schools over the past 20 years. She has a permanent New York State certification as a school psychologist K-12, school administrator/supervisor and in elementary education N-6. This is a new part-time position in Garden City private schools.

Suzanne Miller

Stratford School Permanent Special Education Substitute

Suzanne Miller has a BA in sociology from Fairfield University and an MS in elementary and special education from Adelphi University. Miller served as an elementary teacher in New York City Public Schools as well as a special education teacher at West End Day School in Manhattan. She has New York State Certificates of Qualification in special education and elementary education. She is replacing Sabrina Roszko who is on child care leave of absence.

Kerri Morin

Homestead School Permanent Elementary Education Substitute

Kerri Morin has a BA in elementary education from the Catholic University of America and an MA in education (curriculum and instruction) from Trinity College. She has served as an elementary education teacher at Watkins Capitol Hill Cluster School in Washington, D.C. She has provisional New York State certification in elementary education N-6. Morin is filling in for Jennifer Dolan who is on leave of absence.

JoAnne Marie Olis

Middle School Special Education Teacher

JoAnne Marie Olis has a BA in drama, theater and dance from Queens College and an MS in special education from Long Island University. She served as a special education teacher at I.S. 318 in Brooklyn prior to being appointed to a permanent substitute special education teacher at the middle school in Jan. 2001. She has permanent New York State certification in special education K-12. She is replacing Andrew Sullivan who resigned.

Kristie Orrego

Middle School Elementary Education Teacher

Kristie Orrego has a BS in mathematics from SUNY Oswego and an MS in literacy from Dowling College. Orrego served as a mathematics teacher at Eastport/South Manor School District since Sept. 1998. She has provisional New York State certification in elementary education N-6 and mathematics 7-9 and reading K-12. She is replacing Keith Veltri who has become a mathematics teacher at the middle school.

Deborah Pontius

Middle School Special Education Teacher

Deborah Pontius has a BS in elementary/special education and an MS in special education from St. John's University. Pontius served as an elementary education teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Woodhaven, New York. She has a New York State Certificate of Qualification in special education K-12 and elementary education N-6. Pontius is replacing Wendy Berger who is transferring to Locust School.

Mark Quigley

High School Permanent Social Studies Substitute

Mark Quigley has a BA in government from the University of Notre Dame, an MS in technical systems management from SUNY Stony Brook and an Ed.D. in instructional leadership from St. John's University. Quigley has been the director/senior educational technologist of the Faculty Development Center as well as adjunct instructor at Adelphi University since May 1996. He has provisional New York State certification in social studies 7-12. Quigley is replacing Kathleen Anderson who is on leave.

Corina Riccio

Stewart School Special Education Teacher

Corina Riccio has a BS in elementary/special education from SUNY Geneseo. Riccio served as a second grade teacher in Mineola Public Schools since Sept. 1999 as well as a special education teacher at Nassau BOCES and Developmental Disabilities Institute during the summers of 1999 and 2000. She has a provisional New York State certification in special education K-12 and elementary education N-6. This is a new position at Stewart School.

Barbara Sazani

Locust School Special Education Teacher

Barbara Sazani has a BS in special education and elementary education from SUNY Buffalo and an MS in special education from L.I.U., C.W. Post campus. Sazani was a special education teacher in the Kings Park, Copiague and North Shore School Districts since 1998. She was a special education teacher at BOCC, Westbury from 1987-1993. She has permanent New York State certification in special education K-12. This is a new position at Locust School.

Laura Scala

District-wide Adaptive Physical Education Teacher

Laura Scala has a B.S.E. in elementary and adaptive physical education from SUNY Cortland and an MS in physical education from Queens College. Scale served as an adaptive physical education teacher in the New York City schools since Sept. 1994. She has permanent New York State certification in physical education K-12. This is a new district-wide position.

Michael Stratis

High School Social Studies Teacher

Michael Stratis has a BS in political science and economics from Fordham University and a JD in law from Seton Hall Law School. Stratis served as a social studies teacher at New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn since 1992. He has permanent New York State certification in social studies 7-12. Hi is replacing John White who retired.

Brenda Thomas

Homestead School Elementary Education Teacher

Brenda Thomas has a BA and an MS in elementary education from Queens College. She was an elementary teacher at P.S. 251 in Springfield Gardens, New York, since 1995. Thomas has permanent New York State certification in elementary education N-6. This is a new position at Homestead School.

Christine Trialonas

Middle, High School Reading Specialist

Christine Trialonas has a BS in speech and hearing handicapped from C.W. Post College and an MS in reading from Dowling College. She is enrolled in a speech-language pathology graduate program at Kean University. She previously taught at Theracore, Inc. Staten Island and AHRC. She has permanent New York State certification in reading K-12, special education K-12 and speech and hearing handicapped K-12. Trialonas is replacing Linda Ginsburg who resigned.

Joseph Tursi

High School Permanent Foreign Language Substitute

Joseph Tursi has a BA in liberal arts and an MA in liberal studies/foreign language from SUNY Stony Brook. Tursi is a teacher of Italian and Spanish at the East Islip High School where he has taught since 1986. He has permanent New York State certification in Italian and Spanish 7-12. Tursi will replace Patricia Bologna who is on a leave of absence.

Patricia Donovan

Librarian

Patricia Donovan has a B.F.A. in public relations from L.I.U., C.W. Post campus, an MA in elementary education from Queens College and an MA in library/information science from St. John's University. Donovan has been a school media specialist at Floral Park-Bellerose Schools since Sept. 1996 and was an elementary education teacher at New York City Schools from 1990-1996. She has permanent New York State certification as school media specialist K-12 and elementary education N-6. She is replacing Theresa Gonzalez who resigned.

John Joyce

High School Permanent Social Studies Substitute

John Joyce has a BA in history from Fordham University and an MA in social studies from New York University. Joyce served as a social studies teacher at Stuyvesant High School from 1995-2000. He was a teacher of American Studies at EWHA American School in Seoul, South Korea during the 2000-01 school year. Joyce has permanent New York State certification in social studies 7-12. He is filling in for a high school teacher currently taking a leave of absence.

Beret Norman

High School Foreign Language Teacher (part-time)

Beret Norman has a BA in English literature and German studies from Augustana College and an MA in Germanic literature from the University of Massachusetts. Norman was a German instructor at the University of Massachusetts from Sept. 1993-May 1999. Her provisional New York State certification in German 7-12 is pending. This is a new position in the high school.