HF-FMCSD paid tribute to employees last week
The hour-long May 27 Highland Falls-Fort Mont-gomery Central School District Board of Education meeting was a very busy one, as 13 “amazing, promising, potential-filled individuals were granted tenure by the Board of Education; and another 11 long-time district employees were honored as they prepared for retirement at the end of this school year.
While the meeting was held virtually, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Sheboy encouraged breaks for applause, and lamented the fact that they couldn’t be together to celebrate the accomplishments of all involved.
“We are honoring the two book-ends of excellence,” Sheboy said, noting “how hard all of these individuals work for our children.”
Those receiving tenure were:
Kelly Doering: An O’Neill teacher, Doering was praised for her “exuding kindness, warmth and compassion to every student and individual she works with”.
Connor Craven: A Fort Montgomery Elementary School teacher, it was noted that Craven “demonstrates a true love of learning to his students”.
Adam DiBenedetto: An O’Neill teacher, DiBenedetto was thanked for “committing himself to helping students make meaningful connections to history”.
Carielle Erskine: Teaching at the Highland Falls Intermediate School, it was noted Erskine “exudes enthusiasm and flexibility” and pays attention to her student needs.
Edward Green: Another O’Neill teacher, Green’s “connection to his students” was praised and he was called a “devoted and hardworking colleague”.
Stanley Rychcik: Rychcik, an O’Neill High School teacher, was cited for his dedication to the “academic, personal and athletic growth of our students”.
Kim Gerson: About this Highland Falls Intermediate School teacher it was said: “student success is at the core of everything Mrs. Gerson does”.
Amy Quinn: From the Highland Falls Intermediate School, Quinn, it was noted, has an “unwavering passion and commitment to challenging herself and her students.”
Christine Susskind: An O’Neill High School teacher, Susskind “strongly advocates for students most in need”, it was stated.
Joseph Twomey: Twomey, a Highland Falls Intermediate School teacher, “designs lessons to meet the individual needs of his students”.
Stephanie Welsh: “Welsh, Sheboy said, “appreciates the importance of being innovative”.
Amy Petroccione: A Fort Montgomery Elementary School teacher, it was noted she “creates a strong community of belonging in her classroom”.
Elaina Savarese: Savarese, a Fort Montgomery Ele-mentary School teacher, was thanked for “creating a warm and welcoming learning environment”.
The retirees honored included:
Assistant Superintendent for Business Denise Cedeira: “Ms. Cedeira has an unsurpassed knowledge of school business and operations, and taught me so much,” Sheboy said. “We are so grateful for her service, and are eternally grateful for the work she did here.”
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Dr. Andrea Tejedor: Tejedor was feted for the various positions she has held in the district, as well as her work during the pandemic. “We fared better than most, and will remain strong because of Dr. Tejedor,” Sheboy said.
Highland Falls Intermediate School Monitor Kalliopi ‘Popi’ Chronopolous: Since 2004, Chronopolous, the former proprietor of Andy’s Restaurant on Main St., “helped out wherever needed, and always with a smile”, at the HFIS.
O’Neill High School Monitor Christina Crill: Crill has worked at O’Neill since 2004, “providing a warm and welcoming face to students and staff”. She is a Highland Falls High School graduate.
Fort Montgomery Ele-mentary School Teacher Aide Allyson Garcia: Garcia is “a staple of the building”, having worked in the kindergartens and first grades at the FMES since the 1997.
Highland Falls Intermediate School Nurse Linda Wetzel: A full and part-time nurse in the district since 1997, Wetzel has been an “invaluable asset” to the district, especially during the pandemic, Sheboy said.
Highland Falls Intermediate School Teacher Christine Doyle: Doyle recently retired after 21 years in the district, “positively impacting hundreds of students,” the superintendent said.
Fort Montgomery Elementary Teacher Pauline Gianiodis: Hired in 1984, Gianiodis “brought a love of children and passion for learning to her teaching,” it was said.
O’Neill Art Teacher Patricia Hassler (retired 2020): “In all she did, she worked to inspire her students,” Sheboy said of Hassler, who was hired by the district in 2004.
O’Neill Math Teacher Jean Lambiase: Lambiase worked for the district from 1974-1984, left, and then came back in 1998 and worked through this year. “She works so hard to expand the horizons of all her students.”
Board of Education West Point Liaison Col. Cecil Marson: Marson, retiring from the Army this summer, brought “invaluable perspective and experience” to the board, Sheboy said, especially through the pandemic.
