Tells us about yourself!
I'm married to my fabulous husband, and we have a daughter. She goes to the University of Richmond, and we visit as often as we can. I have a great family and we are all Islander fans. Our family group text usually starts 20 minutes before puck drop with my 90-year-old dad texting, "LGI." He is the reason my brothers and our families are fans. My dad and his friends purchased season tickets in the first year of the team and I still remember doing my homework between periods on school nights. Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin were my favorite player back then, and I was lucky enough to be present when they won two of their four Cups.
ISLANDERS TEACHER OF THE MONTH
EVERFI IS TEAMING UP WITH THE ISLES
EverFi Future Goals Program
Sign Your School Up
Feb. 2023: Christine Weltner
Jan. 2023: Christine Weltner
Dec. 2022: Patricia Mellas
Tells us about your teaching career!
I've taught in the Garden City School district for 38 years, and in the same school for my entire career. That longevity has been so special. I've gotten to know and so many different teachers, administrators and especially children. It never seems as though I've been teaching for that many years because every September brings a new group of students. So, in some ways, it's like a new job at the end of each summer. It is the greatest career, and the rewards are too many to count. I know how lucky I am to go to work every day with a smile on my face.
Favorite teaching moment?
One of my favorite memories was at my wedding ceremony some 25 years ago. About 30 of my past and present students came to the church that day. At the end of the ceremony, the priest asked them all to come up to the altar for a group picture. They felt like celebrities! All these years later, that framed photo still sits on my desk.
In class, my favorite memories usually involve helping kids fall in love with reading. When you help a child find that perfect book, and a lightbulb goes on for them, it's magic. The best conversations with kids always seem to be talking about books, especially when they see themselves in the characters.
Favorite player?
Brock Nelson
