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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. Three Peekskill Middle School teachers and a teaching assistant at Hillcrest Elementary School were honored in a ceremony Tuesday after being granted tenure by the Peekskill City School District.
Tenure in New York State is awarded at the end of a teacher's probationary period and denotes that the administrator, teacher or teaching assistant has successfully completed the term.
Principal David Fine introduced the three teachers from his school who received tenure. Frank Bucci is a technology teacher at the school who is also the head varsity football coach at the high school.
"He has made a nice impact on our technology program with regard to new levels of curriculum ranging from advanced courses in robotics, stained glass and wonderful instructional technology projects," Fine said. "Frank loves the morale, support and work environment and, of course, the community in Peekskill."
Art teacher Patricia Roldan started in the district as a special education teaching assistant. She is the school's yearbook adviser and runs the school's literary magazine. Roldan was unable to attend because of the recent birth of her daughter.
"It was evident from the start that she was excited to have her own classroom one day," Fine said. "From the start she was a leader in the department, incorporating positive changes in the classroom and the building alike."
Rodney Headley, a Peekskill High School graduate, is a health teacher who began as a teaching assistant. From the start he made significant differences with respect to our student's character," Fine said. "He connected and made an impact in and out of the classroom through these relationships."
Headley became the high school girls varsity basketball coach after coaching the modified team at the middle school. Under Headley, last year's varsity team qualified for the state championship.
Hillcrest teaching assistant Candis LaFountain, who was unable to attend the ceremony, teaches in the technology department. She also serves on the field day and school safety committees, among others, and also helped organize the school's first ever talent show this year.
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