Jessica Liakonis, affectionately known as number 32 by some of her colleagues at Willets Road School, was approved for tenure during Monday’s East Williston Board of Education meeting.
The fifth-grade teacher was tenured alongside Stefanie Granville, a fourth-grade teacher at the North Side School.
The board, administrators and teachers’ families joined in the lobby of the Wheatley School for a celebratory reception before the meeting and their official tenure approvals.
The reception also celebrated Rachel Piccirillo, who was granted tenure earlier this year.
Stephen Kimmel, Willets Road principal, said the hiring team went through hundreds of applicants and narrowed it down to 31 in the spring of 2015 when it began a search for a new teacher.
He convinced the team to see another hopeful and “immediately we knew we had a star,” Kimmel said.
The 32nd candidate was Liakonis, who has been teaching a room full of actively engaged students for three years at Willets Road, Kimmel said.
Anyone who walks into Liakonis’ classroom can see, hear and feel her instruction, Kimmel said.
(Photo by Rebecca Klar)
James Bloomgarden, North Side principal, had similar praise for Granville as he recommended her for tenure for her second time in the district.
Granville first joined the district in 1991 and was tenured in 1994. She took time off to raise her children and came back in 2010, first as a substitute, Bloomgarden said.
Granville plans her lessons with all her students in mind, Bloomgarden said.
This year Granville has two English as a New Language learners in her classroom, and she continues to be a strong advocate for students with medical needs, Bloomgarden said.
Not only does Granville plan strong lessons, Bloomgarden said, but she also forms close and meaningful connections with her students.
During the meeting the board also welcomed Michael Scaturro, who was appointed the new director of physical education, health, athletics, medical services and family and consumer science for the district.
Scaturro will receive an annual salary of $135,000 effective July 2.
