She Always Wanted to be a Teacher
It's hard to believe that Susan Terry-Bazer is nearing the close of her third decade as a Huntington School District teacher. During that time she has witnessed many changes in the district, as well as the education world and society as a whole.
"I always wanted to be a teacher," Ms. Terry-Bazer said. "I never considered any other profession. Teaching is challenging, but it is different every year; even different every day!"
The classroom veteran moved to Huntington in 1971. "At the time I was working at Crestwood Country Day School and working on my BS," Mrs. Terry-Bazer said. She attended St. John's University and went on to graduate from SUNY College at Old Westbury with an undergraduate degree in early childhood education. She went on to earn a master's degree in reading and professional diplomas in advanced literacy studies at Hofstra University.
She remained at Crestwood for another year while her son, Bill Maniatis attended school there as a pre-kindergarten student. The next year Mrs. Terry-Bazer was a student-teacher and her son was a kindergartener at the now closed Village Green School.
Her career in the district began in 1981 when Mrs. Terry-Bazer was hired to teach kindergarten at Southdown Elementary School in the half-day program that Huntington then offered. The following year she moved over to Huntington Elementary School to teach third grade and stayed there for 15 years, also working in that building as a kindergarten teacher.
After the district underwent one of its periodic elementary grade level reorganizations, Mrs. Terry-Bazer spent 12 years teaching second grade and the Columbia University writing program, at one time or another. For the past three years, she has been a reading specialist at Jefferson Primary School.
"My first priority has always been to have the children feel comfortable with me and in the learning environment," Mrs. Terry-Bazer said. "From that point on, everyone can progress to the best of their ability. Children are amazing, their capacity to learn is enormous and it is my challenge as an educator to create a learning experience to match their growth and wonder."
Bill Maniatis went on to graduate from Huntington High School in 1985, obtain a bachelor's degree at Syracuse University and a law degree at the Hofstra School of Law. He is currently practicing at Schlemmer and Maniatis, his own New York City firm and is married to Victoria Heard Maniatis, who practices law at Milberg LLP. The union produced Mrs. Terry-Bazer's beloved grandson, Alexander.
These many years later, Mrs. Terry-Bazer still lives in Huntington, residing with her husband, Chris and the couple's dog, Tiki. "I love gardening, spin class at the YMCA and spending time with Alex," she said. "I raise orchids in my spare time."