The Great Neck Board of Education on Monday unanimously voted to grant tenure to 26 middle school and high school teachers in the Great Neck Public School District.
“The granting of tenure for all of you is really a cause for great celebration,” board President Barbara Berkowitz said. “We have high expectations in Great Neck. You have met those high expectations and deserve great rewards.”
Great Neck Superintendent of Schools Thomas Dolan said that he “personally met with all of the candidates” before Monday’s meeting to learn about them and their accomplishments as educators.
“The work that they have done to achieve this honor is considerable,” Dolan said.
Seven teachers from Great Neck North High School were granted tenure. Those teachers were Matthew Blackstone, Eileen Davidson, Lindsay Haskel, Israel Henriquez, Maya Lerner, Jamie Reyna and Blair Silver.
From Great Neck North Middle School, William Giannone, Amanda Reilly, Kerri Spatz, Samantha Tarantola, Jacquelyn Tomlet and Yun (Lillian) Zhang were granted tenure.
Samantha Gallagher, a social studies teacher with the Supportive Environment for All Learners Academy, was granted tenure.
From Great Neck South High School, Holly Cipriano, Kimberly Gewitz, Peter Marques, Michael Moran, Jessica Skemer and Thomas Marr were granted tenure.
From Great Neck South Middle School, Jacqueline Hazel, Daniel Isaac, Lawrence Nahoum and Paul Pelech were granted tenure.
Lauren Gengo and Cindy Pavlic from the Village High School were both granted tenure.
The board had granted tenure to 13 elementary school teachers and administrators at a meeting two weeks ago.
“In the interest of time, we’re having two ceremonies for the granting of tenure,” Dolan said, explaining the two separate meetings.
The board also recognized the new executive board for the Great Neck United Parent Teacher Council.
“We look forward to working with you,” Berkowitz said.
The Great Neck UPTC “offers parents the opportunity to work with teachers and school administration on issues affecting the education and welfare of students in the Great Neck Public School District,” according to its website.
Lori Beth Schwartz will stay on as UPTC’s president with Sarah Moss and Rebecca Sassouni also staying on as co-executive vice presidents.
Michelle Adhoot will also stay on as vice president of the group.
Grant Tooch will replace Mary Lau as the group’s treasurer.
Jiuan Heng will stay on as co-corresponding secretary and will be joined by Lian Hou, who will be replaced Kuniko Langel.
Louise Hochberg will be the lone member at large, replacing Harriet Finkelstein and Jimmy Kwong.
Reach reporter Anthony O’Reilly by e-mail at aoreilly@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203 and on Twitter @ ORiled_Up. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
