Joel Romanelli came to Brewster in 1986. He is now the senior Librarian in the district.
He resides with his wife Karen and two children Rachel and Jay in Newtown , Connecticut .
Mr Romanelli received his Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor of Music) from Webster College , St. Louis , MO. and his graduate degree (M.S.L.S. [Master of Science in Library Science]) from Palmer Graduate Library School , C.W. Post College , Brookville , NY
Previously was employed as a children's librarian at Danbury Public and 4 years in an elementary school library in Dallas , NC .
HIS NEW QUOTE: “Mother Nature created a few perfect heads. On the rest she put hair.”
FEBRUARY 2006 Teacher of the Month Liz Lobuglio GSS
Liz has been a Reading Teacher for Brewster Central Schools for the past 11 years. Liz received a Bachelor's from Pace University and her Master's from the College of New Rochelle . She has a dual Masters in Reading and Special Education. She has worked in Garden Street School for 11years and she was also in JFK for one year. Liz also taught for the College of New Rochelle during her time here. In her spare time Liz enjoys SHOPPING, sailing, snowboarding, speed skating, and of course reading. She was recently married to Andy Rimmer this past summer. She lives in Mamaroneck near her parents. Liz is well known for her sense of style and is always very well dressed.
Liz is very soft spoken and is extremely well loved by all of her students. She has added to the knowledge and repertoire of her peers through her instruction at in-services and faculty meetings.
WEBMASTER NOTE: (Liz passed away on November 10, 2006 at the age of 37).
MARCH 2006 Teacher of the Month Daria Pascale
I thought of Daria Pascale as teacher of the month. I don't know all her background but I do know that she taught at the Westchester Exceptional Children's School in Purdys before she came to Brewster.
I feel that Daria's interest in teaching children to protect themselves is truly commendable. We chat about her efforts to teach the children to keep themselves safe from everything from germs to harmful people. She is kind enough to include me in the information that she is presenting to her students. This allows me to watch for children that take it to heart and/or reinforce the information she presented in a similar manner. She is very ingenious and frugal (Mr. Conway would appreciate that) in the gimmicks she uses to reinforce learning. This Includes skits , rap songs, posters, and the critical evaluation commercials and so much more. Kind of like the stripper in "Gypsy" who sang " You Gotta Have a Gimmick."
Her work with special needs students is especially important and she knows that. She uses strategies specially designed to help the information reach them using a calm patient approach that comes easy to her.
Her interest in helping young people goes beyond her work here in the District. Daria runs a summer tennis camp for handicapped young people. She was recently recognized for this by their parents in appreciation of her efforts.
Daria was recognized by POW/R (Putnam, Orange , Westchester , Rockland ) for her special efforts to teach children about the dangers of smoking and its' damaging effects.
I wish I could give you more specifics about her methods. I am most impressed by the attitude she brings to her work, as if it is her mission to see that her students are kept safe. She is concerned about the world they live in, the dangers they will face and the importance of preparing them to face both.
APRIL
Leslie Fine is an English teacher at Brewster High School . She received the Educator of Excellence Award from New York State English Council in 2004. She has also presented at the NYSEC conference in Albany and at the Westchester Council of English Educators Spring Conference at Manhattanville College . Larry Scanlon remembers attending one of Leslie's presentations at NYSUT. “She was terrific! Not only did she finish to the applause of the entire room, but afterwards teachers made remarks the like of ‘You're sure lucky to have her at your school,' and ‘I'm going to use her materials in class right away.'” It's great to know that "our" Leslie Fine has been a mentor to teachers from all over New York State as well to her own students.
At Brewster High School , Leslie is known as a sterling teacher and a good friend. Always enthusiastic and hard-working, always humorous and serious at the same time, she's a model for us all. Leslie is always willing to take on new challenges. Just this year, for example, she has taken on the role of BTA co-director, and she is teaching the new ninth-grade block program and an AP Literature course – both new preps! Word on the street says she's doing a great job in both. What her colleagues enjoy most about her is the perfect balance she always seems to hold; she's at once a bountiful source of creative energy and an anchor of reasoned application. It hardly needs mentioning that she has the respect of everyone. As one English Department member has said, "She's my hero!"
MAY TEACHERS OF THE MONTH
Dean Berardo and John Kinnane
On Monday, March 27th, Dean Berardo and John Kinnane performed the heimlich manuver on a student and possibly saved his life. I imagine this situation was frightening and upsetting for them. These two men should be considered heros. They deserve the status of BTA "Teacher of the Month"
