When Douglas Monaghan retired from Sewanhaka Central High School District after more than 30 years at the end of June, there was little he had not done as an educator either academically or athletically.
Monaghan, 60, began his education career in 1973, teaching English for four years at St. Kevin’s School in Flushing. He moved on to St. Mary’s Boys School in Queens as chair of its English department, also coaching basketball, and tennis. And he finished as assistant superintendent for personnel and administration for the Sewanhake school district.
“I’ve always tried to show people the balance, that you can balance academics and athletics,” Monaghan said.
Monaghan said he “stumbled” into education during his junior year at Queens College, drawn by the enjoyment he got from writing.
After getting a degree in education, he earned his masters degree in English from Queens College, writing a thesis on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novella “The Day of the Locust.” Translating literary works into movies has been a subject of personal interest that he often brought into the classroom as a teacher.
Monaghan started teaching in parochial schools after competing his college studies because it was difficult to obtain a teaching license in New York City at that time.
A longtime resident of Floral Park, Monaghan took a position as an English teacher at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square in 1982. He also ran the school newspaper and was director of student activities, overseeing all the student clubs in the high school.
He rose to the position of English department chairperson in 1989 and held that post until 1997. In 1998 he made his “ best career move” into administration, taking a position as assistant principal at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, where he worked with principal Loretta Nugent and Michael DeMartino, who was also an assistant principal at the time.
DeMartino, who also retired recently after 39 years of service in the district, helped show Monaghan the ropes in his first administrative position.
“He mentored me and I’m indebted to him,” Monaghan said of De Martino.
“You’ve given freely of your time to your students.” Jean Fichtl, president of the Sewanhaka Central High School District, recently told both men at a Sewanhaka board meeting where they were honored.
Monaghan had been promoted to principal at H. Frank Carey High School in 2001. He held that position until former Sewanhaka Superintendent of Schools Warren Meierdiercks asked him to take the position of assistant superintendent for personnel and administration, which he held over his last four years in the district.
Monaghan said he is particularly proud that he was tenured for five positions in the Sewanhaka school district.
“I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve proven myself in every job I’ve had,” Monaghan said.
Although he spent his last 14 years in the district in administrative positions, Monaghan said he’s always thought of himself as a teacher.
“I’m a teacher at heart. I’m a teacher and a coach,” he said.
He said the administrative responsibilities tapped leadership skills he felt he also had. But some of the same skills that made Monaghan a successful teacher helped him to tackle the most difficult job he said he had, as assistant superintendent for personnel and administration.
“I’m a people person. That’s why I’m doing personnel,” he said. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a good listener and I’m fair.”
As assistant superintendent, Monaghan dealt with 11 different unions in the district, including teachers, teaching assistants, chairpersons, clerical workers, custodians, and head custodians.
“They all are respectful people and it’s been my pleasure to deal with them,” he said.
He praised the teachers and other employees in the district for their willingness to accept a wage freeze last year to help the district in a time of financial stress.
Last year the Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers agreed to a zero salary increase in the 2011-12 school year, foregoing a 2.95 percent increase that saved the district an estimated $2.1 million and as many as 50 teaching positions. Support staff also accepted a zero salary increase this year, with reduced increases of 1.5 percent in two succeeding years. Administrators, including district principals and assistant principal, accepted salary cuts from flat increases of $3,000 to $1,500 for the year.
“What a heroic thing for these people to do, to negotiate an increase and take a freeze,” Monaghan said. “A lot of people in this district sacrificed for the community.”
As he finished packing up his office on June 29, he said he was leaving with a satisfied feeling, and a special feeling about the days he spent in the classroom.
“I’m leaving happy. I’m leaving fulfilled,” he said. “I enjoyed most lighting up 32 kids in the classroom and motivating them to do something they didn’t want to do.”
Now he said he’ll be spending more time playing grandfather for his daughter’s child and taking trips with his wife Lorraine.
They’re planning cruises to Aruba and Puerto Rico, and a trip to Hawaii next year.
“I just want to take it easy for a while and enjoy life,” he said.
