By Gayathri Suresh
The close-knit New Hyde Park Memorial community has attracted alumni to come back and work at the school that started their paths to success. This year, the faculty welcomed alumni Mr. D'Ammassa, Mr. Kern, Ms. Kaczmarczyk, and others to foster a unique learning and teaching environment for the 2020-21 school year. In addition, below are some fun facts about the building's new teachers.
Mr. Anthony D’Ammassa graduated from New Hyde Park Memorial in 2014. His passion for science stemmed from the countless hours shadowing surgeons, chiropractors, primary care doctors, and physical therapists. Eventually, during his senior year of college, he shadowed a teacher, and knew it was his future career. After graduating from Stony Brook University and then Adelphi, he became a science teacher at NHP. His first year of teaching is a little different due to the remote/hybrid schedule and dependence on online learning platforms, but Mr. D’Ammassa is excited to work back home, where his whole career started.
“I’m lucky to have such kind and helpful teachers around me, and I’m even luckier with all the incredible students in my classrooms. The kids have gone through just as much as the teachers here, and they’ve really stepped up [during remote learning and the pandemic] and reminded everyone just how strong New Hyde Park Memorial is,” said Mr. D’Ammassa.
Source by Anna Detke
Mr. D'Ammassa has adapted to the pandemic and is now enjoying the craziness of remote learning for his science classes.
Ms. Eve Kaczmarczyk was also a graduate of the NHP class of 2014. She always loved English as a student and knew that teaching was her passion from her high school teachers and education at Molloy College.
“I had a great experience in high school at NHP. My teachers were my role models. I had very supportive teachers when I was a student and now, I get to work with them as colleagues. I feel very fortunate that there was an opening in NHP and was excited to come back for a career,” said Ms. Kaczmarczyk.
“It’s very surreal to one day be their students and then the next to work side by side with them...”
Since she graduated, the building has changed a lot. Before, students had limited technology with SmartBoards in the classrooms and the students writing in binders and notebooks. The library also had tables with computers on them because none of the students had their own iPads to use. But the new technology at NHP makes it easier to communicate with students during this remote situation.
“I've found that we are still able to talk, laugh, and learn each day,” said Ms. Kaczmarczyk.
In 2014, Mr. Kern also graduated from NHP with the inspiration to become a teacher from his role models Ms. DelVecchio, Ms. Mannle, Mr. Maltese, and Mr. Rood. He attended Adelphi University and graduated with a master's degree in 2019. Since then, Mr. Kern has worked at Floral Park Memorial and now New Hyde Park Memorial in special education and social studies. One of his favorite parts about working in New Hyde Park Memorial is seeing his role models and teachers everyday.
“It’s very surreal to one day be their students and then the next to work side by side with them,” said Mr. Kern.
“...The kids have gone through just as much as the teachers here, and they’ve really stepped up [during remote learning and the pandemic] and reminded everyone just how strong New Hyde Park Memorial is...”
After seeing the amazing and trail-blazing work being done by the new teacher alums, The Chariot discovered how a large part of faculty came back to NHP for their professional careers after high school. New Hyde Park alumni include Ms. Rizzuti, Ms. Vosswinkel-Blum, Mr. Kowalczyk, Mr. Dejose, Mr. Gagnon, Ms. Madigan, Ms. Stone, Mr. McLeer, Mr. McLeer, Ms. Basil, Mr. Barbieri, Ms. Bocchino and countless others.
“As a teacher in the Social Studies department at New Hyde Park, I love the opportunity to learn and keep my eyes open for new experiences. Teaching students who speak so many different languages, celebrate such a variety of holidays, travel the globe to visit family, bring such fantastic different foods in for lunch, has allowed me to continue to learn and really appreciate my job and my life,” said Mrs. Madigan.
What brought them back to NHP? The innovative and inspirational environment that promotes both diversity and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
FUN FACT: Mr. D'Ammassa was on the homecoming court in his senior year.
Source from patch.com
Mr. D'Ammassa is pictured with Samantha Longo on the homecoming court in the 2013 parade.
FUN FACT: Ms. Kaczmarczyk was a Features Editor for The Chariot when she was in school.
Source from Ms. Mary Kay Mannle
Ms. Kaczmarczyk wrote some advice for the couples in the school for the February Issue in 2014.
FUN FACT: Mr. Kern started serving in New Hyde Park's fire department when he was in high school and was featured in his yearbook.
Source from Ms. Mary Kay Mannle
Mr. Kern, pictured on the far left, stands with other volunteer firefighters for a picture for the 2014 Lance.