Woodhull School Students Honor Heather Flaherty
Woodhull School loves Heather Flaherty. The veteran teacher was honored last week by members of Huntington High School's Class of 2013 at the annual Distinguished Seniors Dinner. The recognition wasn't lost on her current students, who created a colorful banner to hang in the school lobby.
"It was quite an honor and what a beautiful night," Mrs. Flaherty said about her award and the evening that drew a crowd of about 330 to the high school's Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. "I was so impressed with the number of seniors who were chosen and loved having the chance to reconnect with them before they graduated.
The banner hanging inside the front door at Woodhull is emblazoned with words that students chose to describe Mrs. Flaherty including "beautiful, caring, intelligent, fashionable, nice, creative, elegant, awesome, great, faithful, fun, thoughtful, kind" and "smart."
The top members of Huntington's Class of 2013 were asked to select one teacher from the first school they first attended in the district and from each of their subsequent schools to be recognized at last week's dinner. Mrs. Flaherty was one of a group of faculty members honored by the teenagers. She was picked by the distinguished seniors that attended Jack Abrams School.
"Words honestly cannot describe how touched I was that this group of children; young adults now, selected me for this award," Mrs. Flaherty said. "It gave me a chance to reflect on some of my fondest memories in the classroom. I really thought last night was a tremendous success and a real tribute to our schools in Huntington."
"Heather was hired to teach fourth grade at Jack Abrams Intermediate School in September 2002," said Mary Stokkers, who was principal of the school at the time and who is now the Woodhull principal. "She was notified the week before school began when a fourth grade class broke. All classes had reached the maximum number of students and we were able to open another fourth grade classroom. Interviews were done weeks before and she was anxiously waiting for the phone call."
The new teacher wasted little time once she joined the faculty. "Within two days she had her classroom set-up and organized into centers with enticing bulletin boards," Mrs. Stokkers said. "When her students arrived the first day, they already knew so much about her as they all received a letter in the mail."
Mrs. Flaherty earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master's degree in reading, both at C.W. Post College. She completed her state student teaching requirements in a kindergarten classroom at Woodhull, which was then an early childhood education center and with a fifth grade class at Southdown School. She proceeded to work as a substitute teacher in the district before getting hired to a permanent position.
"I grew up in Huntington and currently live here as well," Mrs. Flaherty said. "Of all of the places I have been in my whole life, I think this is the greatest place on earth. I look forward to seeing my own children experience their education in Huntington."
Mrs. Flaherty taught fourth grade for five years and also spent time as a literacy coach/staff developer and literacy classroom teacher until "looping up" to fifth grade with her class in 2007. She taught fifth grade at Jack Abrams School for three years before the district's reorganization shifted her to Woodhull in 2010, where she initially taught sixth grade English. She now leads a sixth grade social studies inclusion classroom.
"It didn't take long for us to realize we had hired a very special teacher," Mrs. Stokkers said. "Her teaching style exemplified excellence and her warm nurturing personality enabled her to connect with every student. She was forever making positive phone calls and working with her students during her own time. Her classroom was structured, yet there was a relaxed environment established where students always knew what to work on next if they finished that lesson's assignment. There was never a moment that Mrs. Flaherty wasn't working with a group of students. She was one of the originators of guided groups and differentiation. She always knew each student's strengths and weaknesses and how to challenge each student."
Mrs. Flaherty was married in 2009 and together with her husband has two "adorable girls," Mrs. Stokkers said. "Parents constantly tell me how excellent she was for their son or daughter. She not only gave them a solid foundation, but excelled their learning. Her students always love to read and write when they complete a year with Mrs. Flaherty. I think they would gladly go to school on Saturdays with her."
Known for starting her day at Woodhull School with a warm welcome and bright smile for students, Mrs. Flaherty works hard to make the children she works with feel good about themselves and believes it helps set the stage for learning.
"She is like the rays of rainbows and sunshine," said one Woodhull youngster who is not even in Mrs. Flaherty's class.
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Former Woodhull School teacher and current Southdown School faculty member Christopher Dugan was also honored during last week's dinner. He is a district veteran and Woodhull takes pride in his award, as well.
"During his time at Woodhull Intermediate School, Mr. Dugan was loved by his students, respected by his colleagues and appreciated by the parents," Assistant Principal Jarrett Stein said. "His diligent work ethic, attention to detail and genuine love for his students is how the Woodhull family remembers Mr. Dugan's tenure at Woodhull. He was always looking to help any student succeed, feel better or just smile. He's very deserving of this award and his colleagues at Woodhull couldn't be happier for him."