Huntington’s Lauren Desiderio Named Teacher of the Year

Lauren Desiderio was named Teacher of the Year at Long Island History Day at Hofstra University on Sunday. The veteran Huntington High School faculty member was presented with the Robbie Harte Teacher Recognition Award, “in recognition of your commitment and dedication as a teacher and in grateful appreciation for your longtime service to the Long Island History Day program.”

“I am honored to be the senior division 2025 Robbie Harte Teacher of the Year recipient,” Mrs. Desiderio said. “Robbie devoted almost 40 years to the Long Island National History program before passing away in 2022. I had the privilege to work alongside Robbie as a NHD judge for several years and witness her enthusiasm and devotion to inspiring students firsthand. Working with our students at Huntington, guiding them through their research and fostering their historical thinking skills and creativity has been a highlight of my career. I am very proud of the our district’s program and our students who year in and year out produce exceptional projects.

The Long Island regional contest is the largest one in the state and one of the biggest in the country. Last year’s competition drew more than 650 participants. Mrs. Desiderio is the coordinator of Huntington’s National History Day program.

“Lauren is the spirit and motivator behind National History Day among our students and teachers at every grade level in Huntington High School,” Chairman of Humanities Joseph Leavy said. “She works closely with all of us social studies teachers and librarians and many others in the building and beyond to ensure guidance, evaluations and feedback are provided to the student researchers.”

A graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Desiderio obtained a BA degree at Fairfield University in political science with a minor in history. She played on Fairfield’s NCAA Division I field hockey team and was selected as the college’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2004. She has since been inducted into Fairfield’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Desiderio also earned a Master of Arts degree at Fairfield in secondary education. While pursuing a graduate degree she worked in the college’s athletic department as the academic assistant for student athletes and also served as the assistant field hockey coach.

After completing her student teaching requirements at Derby High School in Derby, Connecticut, she began her teaching career at Huntington High School in 2007.

Mr. Desiderio currently teaches Advanced Placement World History Modern, Global History and Psychology.