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Wantagh Board recognizes 10 retiring teachers with combined 290 years of service
Summary
Superintendent John McNamara and the Wantagh Board honored 10 teachers who are retiring at the end of the school year; seven attended the Feb. 6 meeting and received plaques and public thanks for multiple decades of service.
Superintendent John McNamara and the Wantagh Board of Education recognized 10 teaching staff who plan to retire at the end of the school year, citing a combined 290 years of service to the Wantagh School District. Seven retirees attended the Feb. 6 meeting to receive plaques and public remarks from district leaders.
McNamara introduced the district’s routine February retirement recognitions and called several teachers forward. He described their careers and contributions in music, elementary and middle-school instruction, special education and extracurricular activities. "I'm always impressed when I attend the concerts that Jen does," McNamara said of Jennifer Alessi, praising her choral work and trips; he offered similar commendations for other honorees, noting instructional leadership, program development and long-term contributions.
Named retirees who were recognized at the meeting included Jennifer Alessi (joined district 1994; more than 30 years of service), Michelle Ancelovich (joined 1991; 34 years), George Egonias (joined 1994; 31 years), Dina Wang (joined September 1992; 33 years), Nancy Ocana Peron (joined 1995; special educator and resource-room work), Tom Verlin (joined 1993–94; 32 years), and Beth Marines (over 25 years; choral and elementary music). The district noted that Chris Rafferty was unable to attend and will be recognized at the March meeting.
McNamara highlighted individual accomplishments: flexible classroom approaches, instrumental and choral programming, resource-room development and long-term advocacy for students and colleagues. He told the honorees the district would miss their institutional knowledge and community contributions and presented plaques during the meeting.
The recognition was ceremonial; no formal board action was required beyond the district’s customary acknowledgment of retiring staff. The superintendent also used the occasion to remind the public about upcoming budget forums and outreach opportunities related to the district budget.
