Long Island Coalition Against Bullying honors educators, administrators and school staff
The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) honored 29 educators, administrators and school staff members from across Nassau and Suffolk counties at its third annual Long Island School Hero Awards, held Monday, October 19 at The Watermill in Smithtown.
The annual awards celebrated individuals who made extraordinary contributions to the lives of students through their compassion, dedication and commitment to creating safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments. The honorees, many of whom were nominated by their students, represented public and private schools across Long Island.
“Every student deserves to have someone in their corner who believes in them, supports them and helps them navigate the challenges of growing up,” said Joe Salamone, founder and executive director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying. “These 29 individuals demonstrated that being a hero doesn’t require a cape or a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s simply recognizing when a student needs help, taking the time to listen or making sure a child knows they are not alone.”
The awards also highlighted the important role school personnel play in preventing bullying, addressing student mental health challenges and fostering a culture of kindness and acceptance.
“Kids need to feel valued and connected to their school community,” said Joanne Pisani, director of mental health services in the Connetquot School District. “They need to feel that people see them as important and that they have people to go to if they’re struggling, especially if somebody is bullying them.”
The 29 individuals recognized at the Third Annual Long Island School Hero Awards were:
- Tiffany Belferder – Fusion Academy of Long Island
- Dr. Stacy Calcanes – East Meadow School District
- Michelle Champlin – Deer Park School District
- Kristin Corso – Commack School District
- Maria Corso – Smithtown School District
- Carla DeVito – Deer Park School District
- Kelly Fitzpatrick – B.E.S.T. Learning Center
- Michael Florence – Hauppauge School District
- Stephen Goldberg – Great Neck School District
- Christina Helbock – Brentwood School District
- Gloria Jaramillo – Brentwood School District
- Jonathan Kaplan – Woodward Children’s Center
- Dr. Jillian Kelly – Carle Place School District
- Jamie Keuthen – Lynbrook School District
- Kathryn Miedl – Seaford School District
- Josseline Morales – Farmingdale School District
- Lori Neazer – Harmony Heights School
- Ancy Paulose – Lindenhurst School District
- Emma Peppe – Smithtown School District
- Dr. Joanne Pisani – Connetquot School District
- Kayla Pollenz – Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District
- Paul Reilly – Great Neck School District
- William Riedel – Elwood School District
- Dr. Christopher Smalley – Hauppauge School District
- Jennifer Thearle – Plainedge School District
- Dr. Benedict Tieniber – Lynbrook School District
- Lauren Timoney – Seaford School District
- Lauren Vega – Farmingdale School District
- Brooke Yonick – Bayport-Blue Point School District
