Shining a Light on Special Teachers

By LEETAL PREZELMAYER

At the beginning of the school year, co-principal Mr. Cohen introduced the Lighthouse Award to Jericho High School’s faculty members. Mr. Cohen believes that teachers at Jericho High School should be recognized for the love, care and dedication they bring to the Jericho community, and that educators should honor each other. At the start of each faculty meeting, a lighthouse statue is passed on to another teacher by the honoree who previously received it.

Mr. Cohen chose a lighthouse for the award because of Jericho’s location on an island and because he thought it was a great representation of the role of teachers in our society. “When I think of a lighthouse, I think of a light that shows us the way, but we forget about it. We never know it’s there until you need it and recognize its beauty. As educators, that is what we are,” he said. Mr. Cohen also inspired Jericho Middle School’s principal Dr. Gately to start this tradition with the middle school’s teachers. “I think that teachers do not get recognized enough for the work they do and this award is an amazing formal way to recognize each other’s incredible work,” said Dr. Gately.

The first teachers to receive the Lighthouse Award were health teacher Ms. Romano and math teacher Ms. Kahan. Both teachers helped students plan Jericho’s Homecoming which included the successful dance, pep rally and color run. Ms. Romano believes she received this award because of the sense of unity Homecoming fosters. “We created a community that’s outside of the building with the entire school district which I think is nice and special,” she said. Ms. Kahan and Ms. Romano put thought and care into their classroom activities that aid their students’ emotional well being. Junior Tyler S. said, “Ms. Romano is always there for us and cares about how we are feeling.” 

At the following faculty meeting, Ms. Romano and Ms. Kahan decided to hand the lighthouse statue to social studies teacher Ms. Flockhart who greatly appreciated receiving the award. She also found it difficult to decide which teacher to pass the award to because she believes that “there are so many people who deserve the award and many great things to recognize.” Students value Ms. Flockhart’s positive attitude and her dedication to their well-being. Senior Drew N. said, “Ms. Flockhart brings awareness and acceptance, as well as a safe space for students to feel heard and important.” In addition, senior Brandon W. admires the classroom environment Ms. Flockhart creates. “Ms. Flockhart’s classroom is very calm and relaxing. Also, she is a teacher that understands the stress that students have,” he said. 

Ms. Flockhart decided to pass the lighthouse statue to science teacher Ms. Rinaudo. “I was very excited, flattered and honored to have received the lighthouse from Ms. Flockhart since she is an extraordinary example of compassion, trust and leadership among the faculty. Her to have chosen me was very humbling,” said Ms. Rinaudo. Her students value the commitment and passion she shows daily. Senior Naomi K. said, “Ms. Rinaudo is one of the most thoughtful, kind and generous teachers I know. She’s always there to support her students academically, and most importantly, emotionally.”  

Ms. Rinaudo then gave the Lighthouse Award to social studies teacher Ms. Bensen. “I felt very flattered because it showed that my colleagues recognize my work. I now have to live up to that, ” Ms. Bensen said. Her students find her to be a very enthusiastic teacher. Junior Gabby F. said, “Ms. Bensen is loud, funny and makes the class interesting.” Also, junior Nicole P. believes Ms. Bensen is “very passionate about her work and her beliefs.”

The Jericho community is fortunate to have teachers so devoted to giving their students the greatest experiences possible in and out of the classroom. Both the faculty and students are thankful for Ms. Romano, Ms. Kahan, Ms. Flockhart, Ms. Rinaudo, Ms. Bensen, and for Mr. Cohen who started this wonderful new tradition.