J.F.K. Wishes Ms. Titone
a Wonderful Retirement -2007
After Teaching for more than three decades, Ms. Titone will step out of J.F.K. looking forward to whatever the future holds. Such an embracing attitude is sure to prove powerful. Kind of like saying, “Bring it on!” Knowing Ms. Titone for a little more than a third of her career as a teacher has been a gift. She always welcomes the challenges that arise before her with confidence that she will see her way through and that the challenge will be lightened with a little help from her friends. During opportunities to work with her in the classroom always meant that there would be much learning, discipline, and laughter.
Ms. Titone’s teaching career was inspired by Mrs. Weglen, her sixth grade teacher. She still has a wrought iron piggy bank that Mrs. Weglen let her keep for helping her clean out a supply closet. The rumor is that it still contains some pretty old coins. Another inspiring teacher was her high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. House (No relation to television’s Dr. House). What made them special? Ms. Titone attributes it to their ability to listen and communicate to her the feeling that they cared. Their caring and supportive attitude enhanced her desire to teach.
Ms. Titone’s career as an educator began in the seventies with her opening a pre school, “Joyful Beginnings” and then subbing for the Carmel School district before being hired by the Brewster School District. She has taught the children of J.F.K. for the past twenty-four years.
Over the years, she has witnessed many changes in buildings, faculty, concepts, and curriculum. Many have been advantageous, although she is concerned that our society is placing much pressure on our children these days with such busy schedules both at school and home. “It seems they have little time to be just children,” said Ms. Titone. Two elements that have remained constant, according to Ms. Titone, are the innocence of the children and their ability to bring laughter into everyday life. Through her teaching she has learned patience, how to listen and hear what people are saying, to know her limitations, and how to be a leader. In regards to her retiring, Ms. Titone feels that, “It’s important to leave smiling, before it gets old.”
I asked Ms. Titone what was something she was leaving behind. With a laugh she said, “My messy desk.” This was her reply, funny, but not complete. I was thinking of how she would work up a sweat explaining a concept to a child who didn’t understand. First, she’d try one way, then offer another example, then take a different approach, until that little face
would light up with a smile and she knew that she had finally got the idea across. Ms. Titone never hesitated to take time to teach her students about making right and wrong choices. In the role of remedial math specialist, throughout the day you could find her walking down the hall (backwards) with a group of students following her and answering math questions as they navigated their way to the math room. When teaching third grade each morning the children would begin their day with positive affirmations, "I can do it." "A positive attitude is what I have." etc. Recently, a former student, now a young man, met Ms. Titone and the first thing he reflected on was how he has never forgotten those affirmations.
Her advice to new teachers is to take the time to really get to know your students. A teacher’s day is very busy and there is always so much material to cover. Of course, curriculum is important, but take time to make sure that your students are learning, take time to discipline when necessary, and get to really know each child.
As to what she will be taking with her, Ms. Titone said with emotion, “I’ll be taking all the love and caring of my colleagues and their friendship. These are precious gifts that I will carry with me and always appreciate.” With the dawning of a new day and a new beginning before her, I asked what she looked forward to. “I guess, I’m just looking forward to whatever the future brings,” she said.
Therefore Ms. Titone, in that spirit - bring it on - lots of good health, fun, adventure, and probably some teaching here and there.
By Lorraine Major
J.F.K. Wishes Mrs. Bucci
a Wonderful Retirement – 2007
For some, approaching retirement may seem rather bland, but for Mrs. Bucci, it’s just another adventure. She has always had a sense of adventure. Upon graduation from college, Mrs. Bucci taught in Yonkers for two years and then left to teach in Anchorage, Alaska for two years, returning to Yonkers for another year of teaching.
Following this, she taught at the International School of Brussels for a year. At this school, her principal encouraged teachers to take every opportunity to enjoy the country when they were not in the classroom. These overseas teaching assignments combined with traveling, meeting wonderful people and learning about other cultures, proved to be an experience of a lifetime. Traveling, meeting wonderful people and learning about their culture, proved to be an experience of a lifetime. After a year in Brussels Mrs. Bucci returned to New York, where she married and remained home for many years raising her four children.
Upon returning to education, Mrs. Bucci first began teaching in Brewster as a part time Reading Specialist at the Middle School and at JFK. She then found a home in the 3rd grade at JFK, where she has remained ever since.
For Mrs. Bucci, the children have inspired her to use her creativity in the classroom. She most enjoys watching the children develop their own individual creativity and gets a kick out of 3rd graders who are developing a real sense of humor.
Mrs. Bucci looks forward to retiring, in anticipation of spending more time with her children and two grandchildren. Her daughter is expecting and she considers it her privilege to be able to care for her new grandchild. She has always wanted to visit Iceland and hopes to make that a reality with her husband some time soon. They also plan to spend more time kayaking and enjoying time outdoors together. In addition, Mrs. Bucci plans to spend more time visiting Art Museums, as a result of time spent with her mentor Denise Cooper, learning to love and appreciate art. She always wanted to teach ESL to adults and Lorraine Lennon has offered her a great deal of encouragement in exploring this new endeavor.
Mrs. Bucci will miss her colleagues and especially her neighbor Mrs. Sueanne Sloan. Although her journey at JFK is coming to an end, Mrs. Bucci’s journey into retirement has yet to begin. We wish her many retirement adventures to come!
J.F.K. Wishes Mrs. Michalak
A Wonderful Retirement - 2007
In looking back, Mrs. Michalak remembers her best friend’s mom as her inspiration for becoming a teacher. She saw in this woman the hard work and dedication as well as the rewards that come with the profession.
Mrs. Michalak began her career as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She worked for two years with stroke victims and for three years with children in upstate New York where she met and married her husband, Jerry. After moving, Mrs. Michalak worked for a few years in business. After giving birth to her son, Erek, she decided to get her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. In December, 1990 Mrs. Michalak’s career at JFK began with a leave replacement. She has been teaching first grade ever since.
Mrs. Michalak feels that she has learned as much from her students as she has taught them! She learned to be excited about the first snowfall and to appreciate the
gift of a dandelion picked at recess. She says teaching has also taught her to be patient, wait her turn, and to not run with scissors!
Mrs. Michalak has some advice for new teachers; and that is, to appreciate each child’s uniqueness and to enjoy the “small moments.” Mrs. Michalak stresses the importance of taking care of oneself: “Get a good night’s sleep and take your vitamins.” “Breathe deeply and count to ten before getting upset!” “And keep up with your paperwork!!”
To begin celebrating this new beginning, Mrs. Michalak and her husband will travel to San Francisco to visit family and friends. Another plan is to travel to Paris, France. This is particularly exciting because her husband and son are both artists. Time will also be spent
renovating her home. Mrs. Michalak says she’ll be busy painting walls while her husband will be busy painting canvases!
We wish Mrs. Michalak and her family every happiness in their new retirement adventures to come.
JFK Wishes Marge Tondra
a Restful Retirement
Marge Tondra, a Special Education Teacher Aide at J.F.K., will be retiring this June.
When asked what she will miss about J.F.K., Marge replied that she will miss seeing her special education students grow through the inclusion program. “Their development was truly remarkable, especially in the area of reading.” Marge also noted the strong sense of camaraderie among the second grade faculty. She will miss the good friends she has made here at J.F.K. and plans on visiting her colleagues often after she retires. Marge also plans on returning to J.F.K. as a substitute next fall.
As for her new found free time, Marge plans on doing quite a bit of traveling. Her favorite vacation spots include Montauk, Sanibel Island, and St. John, where her family enjoys relaxing on the beach and fishing. She would also love to spend time perfecting her gardens, playing with her dogs, and making chunky jewelry! An antique shop part-time job may also be in Marge’s future!
We will all miss Marge’s sense of humor, caring nature, and kind heart. She has spent her days making us laugh, helping us learn, and lending a listening ear. Truly, she is a good friend to us all.
Are you a retired teacher from JFK?
If so, we want to hear from you! You can give us an update on what you have been doing since your days at JFK Elementary School for us to share on this website. You can also share your wonderful memories from your teaching career here at JFK. Please send us your story! You can send an email to ryoung@brewsterschools.org or keldon@brewsterschools.org.
You may also mail us at JFK Elementary School, 31 Foggintown Rd., Brewster, NY, 10509. Thanks!