District celebrates tenured teachers

There were smiles all around at the May 7 Board of Education meeting when four faculty members were awarded tenure. Special Education Teacher Vanessa Davis, Elementary Teacher Maia Hood, Math Teacher Firoza Rahman and Special Education Teacher Anthony Gentile were honored for their commitment to their community and students during a special ceremony.

“Thank you for caring so deeply for our students and for your years of excellence in teaching,” Superintendent Susan Yom said. 

Grady Principal Andrea Hamilton shared how Ms. Davis began her time in the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that did not stop her and neither has anything else.

“You show up for your students every day, you show up for your community every day,” Dr. Hamilton said. “She takes great pride in motivating her students.”

Ms. Davis was also referred to as “a professional problem solver who fosters opportunities for student growth and responsibility.”

“I remember her signing her commitment letter,” Dr. Hamilton said of Ms. Hood, a graduate of Alexander Hamilton High School who went on to Layfayette University where she played basketball.

“I am extremely proud of my former student,” Dr. Hamilton continued.

Ms. Hood stayed connected to her athletic roots by coaching at AHHS and helping to plan field days, Grady’s Game Day and she always volunteers, Dr. Hamilton said.

“Ms. Hood’s classroom is warm and welcoming, and she motivates her students to work hard. She’s an integral part of the family, but also of the Elmsford community. She chose to come home,” said Dr. Hamilton.

AHHS Principal Jeffrey Capuano also praised his staff for their amazing work, noting that the most important thing a board of education can do is “higher the right people and then support them.”

“It’s not the goal, but the end,” Dr. Capuano said of what tenure is. “It is the best our profession has to offer. It’s the beginning. The beginning of a time of modelling, of leadership and further involvement in our schools.”

“When I asked Anthony Gentile, what he is proud of, he said ‘I love the size of the school’ and he went on to say ‘I love the size of this school because I love building relationships with our staff and students. I think I know 95 percent of them by name.’”

Dr. Capuano said Mr. Gentile, who teaches special education, serves as the school’s technology coordinator and coaches baseball and volleyball, also said that students will rise to the expectations that are set for them.

“That’s what we want to hear from our teachers,” said Dr. Capuano. “He also said he feels like he can impact every student who walks through his door. That’s precisely why he is getting tenure tonight.”

Mr. Gentile’s colleague, Firoza Rahman, who teaches math, computer science, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A and every level of Algebra 2, and serves as the Coding Club and Cultural Club advisor and event organizer, including for Black and Hispanic History months and event chaperone, was also honored.

When he asked her what she was most proud of, Dr. Capuano said he was told that bringing the AP Computer Science A to the district and her adding the computer language Python as a class beginning next year.

“When I think of Firoza, I think of two words, relationship and time,” Dr. Capuano said.

He explained that she told him she loves to help students find their direction, adding “if you ask them the right questions, you can help them find their way.”

“She does that every day, she doesn’t just teach math,” Dr. Capuano said, noting that she stays late after school with a group of students talking about math, life and whatever else they want to talk about.

“It’s with great pleasure I get to do this tonight,” Board President David Hecht said, before the board unanimously approved tenure for all four candidates.

“I thank all of our staff members who are here tonight to support all of our candidates. It’s a testament to our community and love that we have for these four individuals,” Ms. Yom said.