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Byram Hills honors teachers and long‑service staff at final board meeting of the year
Summary
The Byram Hills Central School District Board recognized multiple teacher award recipients and handed out longevity service awards spanning 20–30 years at its June 10 board meeting.
Byram Hills Central School District recognized this year’s teacher‑recognition winners and long‑service honorees during its final Board of Education meeting of the 2024–25 school year on June 10.
The awards ceremony, presented before the board resumed regular business, named teachers from multiple schools who were singled out by colleagues and administrators for classroom leadership, program building and community outreach. Courtney DeRosa of Byram Hills High School was singled out for work with the district’s LCC program and for organizing a multi‑day Disney trip tied to independent living and vocational goals. Chris Walsh, quoted in the meeting packet and read aloud at the ceremony, recommended DeRosa, saying she “exemplifies the highest standards of teaching, care, and professionalism.”
Why it matters: the board framed the recognition as part of a longer tradition of retaining staff and building community continuity; the district said some recipients have been on recognition lists dating to the 1990s. The board also emphasized the collective value of non‑instructional staff who attend and supervise extracurricular events.
Details: other individual recipients named during the presentation included Levi Littman (HCC mathematics), Dr. Yvette Thompson (Wampus school psychologist) and Laura Borneman (Coleman Hill special education). Presentations highlighted examples of classroom practice and community engagement: Littman’s student service projects and a partnership with the Mount Kisco food pantry were noted; Thompson’s role on the committee on special education and her outreach to families were emphasized; Borneman was commended for a data‑informed approach and family partnerships.
The board also presented longevity awards, noting a combined 645 years of service among staff celebrated at the meeting across 20‑, 25‑ and 30‑year milestones. Board members read lists of individual employees receiving 20, 25 and 30‑year recognitions across the district’s schools and departments.
Context and next steps: Board members and administrators said the recognitions reflect sustained investment in staff development and community ties; no formal board action was required for the awards. The meeting then briefly recessed before continuing with scheduled agenda items.
