By REESA LEFKOWICZ
Jericho students may remember Ms. Salzberg as the library media specialist from Seaman Elementary School, now 4 years later, she has made the switch to Jericho High School.
Before pursuing a career as an educator, Ms. Salzberg worked as a fashion and beauty editor. Though she appreciated the industry and the urban environment, she learned quickly that this lifestyle was not sustainable long-term. Ms. Salzberg realized that she loved teaching when reflecting on her years spent working as a teacher’s assistant. Her previous positive experiences in libraries also helped to make her decision for a career transition easier. “I worked part-time at a public library when I was in high school so it just all fit together,” she added.
The main difference Ms. Salzberg found between the elementary and high school is that high schoolers are able to come to the library on their own. “At Seaman, kids could only come in during their specified time, and even when I tried to make it open they always needed permission from their teachers,” she said.
Although she recognizes some of her former students from Seaman, Ms. Salzberg is disappointed that she will not be able to learn the faces of every high school student due to the wearing of masks.
Ms. Salzberg finds it hard to make connections with the high school students because of this year’s unusual circumstances. “In a normal setting, there are more students coming in,” said Salzberg. She feels the library is an important place to unwind and escape academic pressures.
Ms. Salzberg’s favorite thing about Jericho is the diversity among the students and faculty. Ms. Salzberg was born in Iran and moved to the United States at the age of 3, only speaking Farsi. She appreciates Jericho’s inclusivity of a variety of different cultures. She says that in her former district, not many kids knew what Farsi was, but in Jericho, there are kindergarteners who speak the language. “It was nice to have that personal connection with those kids,” she said.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Salzberg’s interests include cooking, gardening, and spending time with her children and new puppy Sadie.
Ms. Salzberg wants to spread the message to all students that the library is open and everyone is welcome to visit, relax, and hang out.