A teacher instills a lot more than just education into a child’s mind. He or she teaches them the values of learning, being a good friend and appreciating what they have. A good teacher also becomes more than just an educator, but a mentor and a friend as well. And students always love them. So without further ado, we bring to you this year’s Best Teacher on Long Island!
2024: Long Island Voted Dan Baxt – Baldwin High School Best Teacher!
Dan Baxt – Baldwin High School
841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Baldwin
(516) 434-6100 – baldwinschools.org
Renowned for his unwavering dedication and innovative teaching methods, Dan Baxt stands as the paragon of excellence among educators on Long Island. As a beacon of inspiration at Baldwin High School, his passion for science ignites the minds of countless students, illuminating the intricate wonders of the universe with every lesson. With an approach that seamlessly blends expertise with empathy, he cultivates a nurturing environment where curiosity flourishes and learning transcends the confines of the classroom. Dan’s commitment to his students goes beyond academic achievement, fostering a profound sense of empowerment and self-discovery that resonates far beyond graduation.
2023: Long Islanders Voted Thomas Shingler – Belmont Elementary Best Teacher!
Thomas Shingler – Belmont Elementary
108 Barnum St, West Babylon
(631) 620-7500 – northbabylonschools.net
A dedicated and caring teacher can make all the difference in a child’s life, and Thomas Shingler is a prime example of this. Mr. Shingler teaches at Belmont Elementary School, which is part of the North Babylon School District. Belmont Elementary emphasizes kindness and takes a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) focus to education. Their comprehensive website describes, in detail with pictures, the anti-bullying and pro-education initiatives that are standard at the school. Dedicated staff such as Thomas Shingler contribute to the positive atmosphere at the school that helps nurture growing students and foster learning.
2022: Long Islanders Voted Shane Helfner- Paul D. Schreiber High School Best Teacher!
Shane Helfne- Paul D. Schreiber High School
390 North Country Rd, Smithtown
631-334-9923 – portnet.org
One of the best teachers you can find on Long Island is Paul D. Schreiber High School’s Shane Helfner. He serves as the school’s band director and tennis coach and is there for his students no matter what. In addition to leading the freshman band and wind ensemble, you can find Helfner in the classroom teaching AP Music Theory and helping his students understand the very fundamentals of music as a whole. Helfner always wants his students to succeed, offering extra help both in the classroom and virtually before the start of the day for students who need it, and is always there to answer any questions they may have regarding music. He clearly communicates with his students what his expectations are and is fair and kind in his interactions, making him an overall great educator.
2021: Long Islanders Voted Robin M Wilensky- North Shore Hebrew Academy HS Best Teacher!
Robin M Wilensky- North Shore Hebrew Academy HS
400 N Service Rd, Great Neck
(516) 487-2424 – nshahs.org
Teachers truly have the ability to change a student’s life in the short amount of time that they’ll be with them. Robin M. Wilensky of the North Shore Hebrew Academy HS in Great Neck understands the impact that teachers can have on students and has done her best to help her students whenever possible. Although being a teacher seems to be her calling, this wasn’t always the case as Wilensky was in the Twin Towers on 9/11 and following that experience, she knew she needed to make a change in her life. Going into teaching seemed like a simple one due to wanting to help students learn and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. Wilensky is the Director of Educational Technology at North Shore Hebrew Academy HS and teaches computer science and business classes. Her dedication to the craft and her care for her students is why she was voted the best teacher on Long Island!
2020: Long Islanders Voted Samrita Chandhok – North Shore Hebrew Academy HS Best Teacher on Long Island!
Samrita Chandhok – North Shore Hebrew Academy HS
400 N Service Rd, Great Neck
(516) 487-2424 – nshahs.org
Some of the most successful educators have an ability to help students gain a greater appreciation for learning, figure out what motivates them, and then guide them toward reaching their potential. Dr. Samrita Chandhok, an Instructor of AP Physics, Physics and Anatomy and Physiology at North Shore Hebrew Academy HS in Great Neck, possess these gifts. Through her knowledge and commitment, she upholds the seven pillars upon which that yeshiva stands, including ‘Academic Excellence’ and ‘Cultivating Individuality.’ Chandhok has helped students develop a deeply thoughtful approach to the world around them, while embracing NSHA’s “Torah Guides Our Lives,” mission.
2019: Long Islanders Voted Kathleen Harrigan – Our Lady of Mercy Best Teacher on Long Island!
Kathleen Harrigan – Our Lady of Mercy
520 South Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville
(516) 433 7040 – www.olmshicks.org
For teachers like Kathleen Harrigan, educating young minds isn’t a job; it’s a calling. Harrigan has been at OLM for 24 years. She began at OLM teaching 3rd grade for two years, then moved up to the 5th grade (taught 5th grade for 21 years) and loves every minute. She began the After School Program which has been up and running for 11 years. Ms. Harrigan is an institution at Our Lady of Mercy, and helps bring out the best in every student who walks through her classroom door.
2018: Long Islanders Voted Karen Spaventa – Our Lady of Mercy School Best Teacher on Long Island
Karen Spaventa – Our Lady of Mercy School
520 South Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville. 516-433-7040. olmhicks.org
Karen Spaventa has been named Long Island’s best Teacher for 2018. Spaventa teaches at the Our Lady of Mercy School in Hicksville. She has been teaching kindergarten at Our Lady of Mercy for the past 16 years, with 17 years of teaching experience. Spaventa received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood from St. John’s University in Queens. Spaventa’s goal is that through good communication between the teacher and the student’s parents could go a long way for students to having a successful school year. For more information on Our Lady of Mercy’s award winning teacher, visit the school website at olmshicks.org or call 516-433-7040.
2017: Long Islanders Voted Regina Hall – St. John the Baptist DHS Best Teacher on Long Island
Regina Hall – St. John the Baptist DHS
1170 Montauk Hwy., West Islip. 631-587-8000. stjohnthebaptistdhs.net
Knowledge. Expertise. A command of language. An ease with students. All of these things contribute to excellence in teaching. But sometimes, a teacher possesses even more than that. The students lucky enough to have occupied desks inside Regina Hall’s English class will tell you that her depth of knowledge of all things literary, her mastery of grammar, her sense of humor and warmth, and her extraordinary ability to bring subjects to life are the winning combination that makes her classroom a place they will remember long after they hold diplomas in their hands! For the aforementioned, and so many other reasons, Long Islanders have voted her the Best Teacher on Long Island!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Regina Hall Best Teacher on Long Island
Regina Hall – St. John the Baptist DHS
1170 Montauk Hwy., West Islip. 631-587-8000. stjohnthebaptistdhs.net
What does it take to be the best teacher on Long Island? Knowledge, certainly. Expertise. A command for language. An ease with students. But sometimes, a teacher possesses even more than that. The students lucky enough to have occupied desks inside Regina Hall’s English class will tell you that her depth of knowledge of all things literary, her command of grammar, her sense of humor and warmth, and her extraordinary ability to bring the subject to life are the winning combination that makes her classroom a place they will remember long after they hold diplomas in their hands!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Regina Hall of St. John the Baptist DHS Best Teacher on Long Island!
Regina Hall – St. John the Baptist DHS
1170 Montauk Hwy., West Islip. 631-587-8000. stjohnthebaptistdhs.net
Who is the best teacher on Long Island? Just ask the students lucky enough to have occupied desks inside Regina Hall’s English class and they’ll tell you. With her depth of knowledge of all things literary, her command of grammar, and her sense of humor and warmth that brings the subject to life, infusing her classroom—and students’ minds—with the poetry of life.
2014: Long Islanders voted Heather Toomey in East Islip Best Teacher on Long Island!
1. Heather Toomey – East Islip High School
1 Redmen St., Islip Terrace. 631-224-2100. eischools.edu
2. Kevin Chorusey – Holy Trinity High School
98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville. 516-433-2900. holytrinityhs.echalk.com
3. Lori Brady – Steele School
860 Church St., Baldwin. 516-377-9368. baldwinschools.org
2013: Long Islanders Voted Kevin Chorusey of Holy Trinity Diocesan High School Best Teacher on Long Island!
1. Kevin Chorusey – Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville. 516-433-2900. www.holytrinityhs.echalk.com
2. Helen Russo — Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville. 516-433-2900. www.holytrinityhs.echalk.com
3. Kimberly Valdemira — West Babylon Junior High School
200 Old Farmingdale Rd., West Babylon. 631-376-7200. www. jhs.wbschools.org
2012: Long Islanders Voted Kevin Chorusey of Holy Trinity High School Best Teachers on Long Island!
1. Kevin Chorusey/Holy Trinity High School
98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville. 516-433-2900. holytrinityhs.echalk.com
2. Sister MaryBeth Faber/Our Lady of Mercy School
520 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville. 516-433-7040. www.olmshicks.org
3. Kimberly Schiller/JT Finley Middle School
20 Greenlawn Rd., Huntington. 631-673-2038. www.hufsd.edu
