Valley Stream UFSD recently hosted New Teacher Orientation for the 2023-2024 school year. The orientation was held over the course of three days at James A. Dever Elementary School. “We are thrilled to welcome our new teacher hires to the team. They are a dynamic group whose intelligence and diversity will undoubtedly enrich the educational experience for our students. Their eagerness to contribute to our district’s mission fills us with hope and excitement for the promising future ahead,” said Fabayo McIntosh, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Judith LaRocca welcomed everyone on the first day of the orientation. The day was dedicated to an overview of Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen by Fabayo McIntosh; a special education services overview by Dr. Lisa Dunn, Executive Director of Special Services; a technology overview by Andrea DiMango, Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation; and a review of contractual benefits by Gerard Antoine, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Human Resources. On the second day, the teachers had the opportunity to review the tenure processes and procedures, goal setting, and instructional preparation. Teachers and Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen administrative staff broke out into workshop groups and discussed library resources, writing, progress monitoring and data, special education, technology integration, assessment, and IXL and Nearpod platforms. During the last day of orientation, Ms. McIntosh facilitated Navigating Assessments and Unleashing the Power of Data in Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen. New hires were also able to meet with their respective building principals.
2023-2024 New Hires:
Vanessa Morales, Special Education
Eliza Sion, School Psychologist
Emily Martino, Special Education
Adetutu Agbabiaka, Special Education
Meghan McCabe, Special Education
Rachel North, Special Education
Ariann Tulloch, Special Education
Despina Kamarinos, Special Education
Adrianne Mehan, Classroom Teacher
Michael Whelan, Physical Education Teacher
Maisha Tippins, Classroom Teacher
Ashley Garry, Classroom Teacher
Cabrina Tasevoli, Classroom Teacher
Amanda Picillo, Classroom Teacher
Katherine Butler, Reading Teacher
Britney Penna, Speech Teacher
Victor DeNicola, Physical Education Teacher
Serena Zingale, Library Teacher