Jericho Bids Farewell to Beloved Faculty Members

For 24 years, Ms. Bloom has been a French teacher here at Jericho High School. Her favorite memory was the exchange trip that she led a number of times and the hosting done here at Jericho. “It was exciting to see students recall and use classroom learning outside the school walls as well as experience all the wonders of travel. It was a time of making strong friendships, some of which continue today.” Of her plans after the 2014-2015 school year Mrs. Bloom said, “I have a lot of energy, and so I am planning to do some volunteer work, take classes, travel and catch up on some reading. I am training my dog so that she will hopefully pass the necessary tests and will be able to accompany me on visits to hospitals and senior citizen facilities. In addition, I also have five grandchildren who need quality Grandma time.”

Special Education Facilitator Ms. McDonnell has been a member of the Jericho community for over twenty years. She has appreciated “working with all the fabulous Jericho teachers and staff members and the wonderful Jericho students.” Ms. McDonnell feels, “Jericho has changed in many ways. There are more special programs, activities and events which have increased participation and school spirit. Also, the district has become extremely well known for its high standards of academic excellence.” Ms. McDonnell’s departing words of wisdom are, “Believe in yourself, and be all that you can be!”

Ms. Iordanou joined the Jericho School district in 2000. She used to teach Latin, Spanish, French and Italian at Cantiague Elementary School. One of her favorite memories from Cantiague is the time a first grader proposed to her. For the past few years, she has been teaching Spanish in the high school. “I know that I’ll miss my interactions with my colleagues, but as a teacher who has gone from the High School to elementary and back to the High School, I will especially miss seeing how my students grow from kindergartners to self-assured young adults. I love it when I suddenly recognize one of them by a smile or a look even though they’ve changed so much on the outside” she said. Often seen as a mother figure at JHS, she has been mistakenly called “Mom” by multiple students, which she loves. Ms. Iordanou looks forward to traveling, “The first on my list is the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca!”

A teacher in the Jericho School District since 2001, Ms. Deutsch offers these parting words, “As I start the next chapter of my life, I will always remember the many students I had the pleasure of teaching. I will always remember the lessons they have taught me. I also feel privileged to have worked with so many professionals. I am proud to have worked with such a dedicated staff. I wish everyone much happiness now and in the future.”

AP Biology teacher Ms. Bott has been teaching at Jericho for over 25 years. Her fondest memories are, “the yearly hanging of the good luck fives for each of my students and compiling of the AP Biology Hall of Fame. I reflect each year over the frames that contain pictures of every AP Bio student I’ve taught over the past 25 years.” Ms. Bott also said, “The district has always held a special place in my heart since I grew up here. Teaching at Jericho High School was like coming home for me. I’ve always thought of the students and faculty at Jericho as my extended family. I’ve had the privilege of sharing many important milestones with them including college graduations, weddings and even births.” Ms. Bott’s departing words of wisdom are, “Be true to yourself. Follow your bliss. I did.”

“He Who Shall Abandon Us” has been a part of the JHS family since 1994. When asked how Jericho has changed since he arrived “He Who Shall Abandon Us” answered in his usual funny way, “Due to the curvature of the earth and relation of the solar system to my constellation Orion, Jericho has shifted a couple of millimeters to the right.” While teaching his students, he made class valuable while also making it fun. “He Who Shall Abandon Us” shared his favorite Jericho memory. “My students and I took a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but we were thrown out because I decided to be a guide without permission!” When asked what advice he would give to his former and current students, “He Who Shall Abandon Us” said, “Dear students, don’t do what I wouldn’t do.”

Math teacher Ms. Der Aris has been a part of the Jericho High School family since 2001. When asked what she will miss most about Jericho, Ms. Der Aris said, “I will miss attending graduation and watching students go on to the next phase of their lives.” Her plans for retirement are to “wake up after 6:00 a.m. and spend more time with her granddaughter.” Her advice is, “Study hard. Be decisive, and don’t be afraid to make a mistake on the way to success.” Ms. Der Aris will truly be missed.