Why I Teach
My career started in New Haven, Connecticut, after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University. I substitute taught in many surrounding districts in hopes of getting a job there. When nothing panned out after a year and funds were getting low, it was time for me to move back home to Long Island. Once again, I substitute taught, now in districts surrounding my hometown of Franklin Square.
I landed my first job teaching fourth grade in Roosevelt, New York. While teaching there, I pursued my master’s degree in reading at SUNY Queens College. Once I received my degree, I landed a teaching job in West Hempstead as a reading teacher.
After marrying and starting my family, I was lucky to land a position as a part-time reading teacher in my new hometown of West Islip. After a few years of teaching there, September 11 hit my family hard. My husband, an NYC firefighter, was off that day, as well as his brother, his cousins, my brother and my cousins. Unfortunately, my father-in-law was not off and was killed that day, along with the seven members of my husband’s company and countless friends and colleagues.
Our world changed in that moment. We had two little boys at the time (4 and 2 years old). My husband remained at Ground Zero for many months looking for his father and the members of his company. I became a stay-at-home mom. After several years of being home and adding a third child (our daughter — adopted from Seoul, Korea), I was ready to return to the classroom. I decided to substitute teach in Bay Shore, a neighboring school district. Nineteen years later, and I am still substitute teaching in Bay Shore.
I absolutely LOVE what I do! I pick and choose my days, which has afforded me the opportunity to attend many, if not all, of my children’s school functions over the years. Both my boys played college sports — one played lacrosse, while the other played soccer. For six years, I was able to attend pretty much every single one of their collegiate games. My oldest son is a marathon runner. I have been his biggest cheerleader and able to support him in person in Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Germany and, of course, several times in New York.
My degrees and certifications permit me to teach in every grade level (pre-K through 12). For the last 19 years, I have worked in all eight buildings in the Bay Shore district. I have formed bonds and friendships with teachers, aides, administrators and families districtwide.
Another reason I love my job is that I am able to see the children grow through the years.
Substitute teaching and the flexibility of the schedule has afforded me the opportunity to help my mom and siblings care for my dad while he was dying from cancer. And now I have the opportunity to help care for my mom suffering from dementia. This past year has been difficult. I needed a total hip replacement and time to recover. My new hip and I were happy to return to subbing this year.
Bay Shore is one of the few school districts on Long Island that has a union for their substitutes. I have sat on the board as recording secretary for the last few years. I have learned a lot and I have shared a lot with my fellow substitutes. As a substitute teacher, I am fortunate to be able to still add to my pension.
I am fortunate in so many ways to have been a substitute teacher for almost 20 years. I LOVE my job; I love what I do; I love still being involved in my profession, I love the students and faculties at each building. I love living in the next town over from where I work. I love running home for lunch. I love being a teacher!
This is why I teach and this is why I stay.
