April 03, 2009
As The School of Education continues to celebrate its 100th
Anniversary, five prominent alumni were honored at the Fourth
Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner at the Staten Island
campus on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Photo Gallery
Honorees Joann Assante '80NDC, Teacher/Administrative
Assistant, St. Mary Mother of Jesus/St. Frances Cabrini Academy,
Mary Lee '06GEd, Science Teacher, St. Clare’s Elementary School,
RoseAnn Mezzacappa '71Ed, Principal, P.S. 58, Maureen O’Brien
'62NDC, Adjunct Associate Professor, St. John’s University and Carl
A. Perinno '68Ph.D., Coordinator of Special Services, Academy of
St. Joseph were recognized for their contributions to the field of
education on Staten Island and the impact they have made during the
course of their careers on the lives of their students.
The evening’s festivities included dinner and the presentation
of apple-shaped awards in appreciation of the honorees’ hard work
and dedication by Jerrold Ross, Ph.D., Dean of The School of
Education. Ross spoke about his appreciation for the role
alumni play in the community and University. “I am encouraged by
the way alumni respond and their willingness and ability to give
back.”
Each of the honorees were grateful to receive special
acknowledgement from the University and were effusive in praise of
their peers.
“I accept this award on behalf of everyone else. If I divided
this award with everyone who made this possible, I would receive
only a tiny fraction,” remarked Lee.
Perrino said, “You [the rest of the honorees] are St. John’s
instruments of greatness and I share this honor with you tonight
and with beloved St. John’s University.”
“I’m honored and grateful to St. John’s for everything they have
done for me in my life!”
Assante exclaimed.
Mezzacappa stated, “I am honored to be among them (fellow
honorees) and appreciative of the great support from Dean
Ross.”
“Teaching truly is a calling and tonight reaffirms my strong
feelings for St. John’s,” expressed O’Brien.
Earlier in the evening, more than 40 students, alumni and
friends also took part in the Alumni Insider’s View…Fourth Annual
The School of Education Career Forum. Patricia Campbell '54NDC,
'60GEd, Associate Professor, St. John’s University, Anna Castley
'89PD, Principal, P.S. 54, Mary Chiapperino '97GEd, '02PD,
Principal, Our Lady Help of Christians, John Fodera '66UC, '93PD,
Principal, St. Peter’s Boys High School, Natalie Hendrix
'02Ed, '03GEd, Teacher, P.S. 58, Ryan Murphy '03C, '06GEd, Teacher,
I.S. 75 all participated in the forum which was designed to provide
students with insight and practical skills when interviewing for a
profession in the field of education.
Photo Gallery
Not only did alumni give students the benefit of their
experiences by speaking candidly with them but they also conducted
mock interviews with two student volunteers to prepare them for the
challenges of the interview process. One student also demonstrated
the use of an e-portfolio (an electronic portfolio that contains
the digital equivalent of a resume and sample work that
demonstrates skills in a particular field) which The School of
Education has implemented in its curriculum, during her interview
scenario.
In addition to career advice, keynote speaker Fodera emphasized
the importance of rethinking societal views of success. He advised
students to excel in their careers and invest in values that would
lead to fulfilling lives.
Sponsored by The School of Education and the Office of
Institutional Advancement, these two events were a tremendous
success, benefiting both students and alumni.