District celebrates retirees and grants tenure to several staff

It was a night of celebration when several of our faculty and staff were recognized for their hard work and dedication. During the June 10 Board of Education meeting, several staff members who are retiring were honored and even more were celebrated for having earned tenure.

This year, retirees include Lillian Alicea, Teaching Assistant at Dixson, Lynn Jacoby, Senior Office Assistant at Grady, Veronica Lederman, Nurse at AHHS and Sonia Rosello, Social Worker 

“Lilian has dedicated her career to supporting students, teachers and families with kindness, a lot of patience and unwavering commitment,” said Dixson Principal Debbie Earle of Teaching Assistant Lillian Alicea.

“While her title may have been teaching assistant her impact has been so much greater. She has been a mentor, a source of comfort a team player and trusted colleague to everyone,” she continued.

“Her presence will be greatly missed,” Ms. Earle said.

Although Lynn Jacoby was unable to attend the celebration, Grady Interim Principal James Yap noted her long-time commitment to the school and district.

“Anyone who one knows how a school operates, while a school principal may lead, a school secretary keeps the heart of the building beating. Lynn has been that heartbeat,” Mr. Yap said. 

Mr. Yap noted how her work extended well beyond her desk in the office. 

“What truly sets Lynn apart is her commitment to the people around her,” he said. “Her contributions have consistently been above and beyond. She will be sorely missed by the students and staff and the entire Elmsford community.”

AHHS School Nurse, Veronica Lederman, was also unable to attend the meeting, however her contributions to student health did not go unrecognized.

AHHS Interim Principal Jeffrey Capuano noted how Ms. Lederman has worked in the district for 20 years, at Grady and Hamilton.

“When asked what she was proud of, she said I love to see how the students grow and mature,” Dr. Capuano said. “And when asked what she will miss, she said ‘the buzz.’”

“The nurses office was always, always busy, she is going to miss the comradery and laughter,” he continued.

Dr. Capuano also shared how Social Worker Sonia Rosella assisted in many ways, including translations for parents along with family outreach and counseling. 

“Her role has evolved,” Dr. Capuano said. “She is very, very flexible, whatever it was, she was willing to meet it. She was always willing to do whatever was asked of her.”

Ms. Rosello was also not able to be at the celebration in person, however after speaking to her, Dr. Capuano said she’s proud of the connections she made with district families and will miss the relationships with her students and colleagues.

“She’s been a vital part of our team and we wish her well,” he said.

Four teachers were honored for earning tenure. AHHS Art Teacher Natalie Bolden, Teacher Jhoana Segarra, Band Teacher Michael Webb and Teacher Marlix Hernandez were honored.

“Tenure is an acknowledgment of excellence, dedication and sustained commitment to students, colleagues, families and community,” Ms. Yom said.

“Tonight we honor our teachers who exemplify these exemplary qualities,” she said. “Their hard work and commitment to Elmsford excellence is to be applauded.”

“Ms. Bolden models kindness and community,” Dr. Capuano said of Ms. Bolden’s work. “She emphasizes in her classroom that mistakes are OK and that art is a process. That’s something that a lot of our kids don’t understand that it’s OK to make mistakes, when they look back at art, they can apply that to their whole lives.”

Additionally, Ms. Bolden is a “go to,” person, her room is a welcoming space for students, he said.

Ms. Bolden was also instrumental in bringing her art students to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and executed the first ever art show this year.

Dr. Capuano also celebrated Jhoana Segarra.

“She supports our students in and out of school, attending non-school related events involving her students and helps parents with their needs,” he said.

“That’s one of the things that is not just special about Jhoana, but many of our staff at Hamilton,” Dr. Capuano said.

“Her classroom is warm, welcoming and joyful,” he continued. “All the kids are smiling when they are there. She serves as an anchor for the ENL students in our school.”

She also shares a message with her students — they can make mistakes, but they must keep getting up.

“Her goal is to change the life of one student,” he said. “What I can tell you is she has changed the lives of every student she has worked with.”

Grady Interim Principal James Yap described Marlix Hernandez as “a truly exceptional educator and a cornerstone of our school community.”

“When you look at Marlix’s resumé it shows her dedication to education,” he said, she has multiple master’s degrees and advanced certificates in educational leadership.

“Clearly she does not believe in taking a break,” he said. “She is completing her doctorate in transformational leadership.”

“What make Marlix truly irreplaceable is who she is as she walks through the halls of our school every single day,” Mr. Yap said. “She’s the definition of a community builder.”

She greets each student each day, organizes building-wide initiatives and organizes school sprit days.

“She’s always the first to raise her hand to help,” he said. “Marlix has never stopped evolving, she has grown tremendously. Marlix knows what it means to be a lifelong learner.”

Mr. Yap also shared his congratulations for Band Teacher Michael Webb, referring to him as “a composer, arranger and expert in his craft.”

“Michael’s true impact is felt in the culture he has built in Elmsford,” Mr. Yap said, adding that has revitalized the band program.

He offers his students patience and inspires a genuine love and appreciation of music Mr. Yap continued, adding that he also has shared his students work with the community at events like the Village Tree Lighting and marching in the Memorial Day Parade. 

“Michael, your patience transforms squeaks and squawks into beautiful music, your dedication transforms the school program into a community treasure,” he said.