Congratulations to Walt Whitman’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Tina Abbondandelo! Ms. Abbondandelo joined the South Huntington family in the fall of 1999 as a science teacher.  For the last 26 years, she has been at Walt Whitman High School teaching Honors, Regents, and ICT  (Integrated Co-Teaching) Biology, including inclusion and self-contained special education Biology classes. Ms. Abbondandelo also co-developed and teaches the popular College Anatomy and Physiology course, which gives Whitman students the unique ability to learn anatomy using advanced-level, life-sized, virtual dissection ‘Anatomage’ tables found in hospitals, research facilities, and medical schools worldwide.   

 

Walt Whitman principal Dr. John Murphy says Ms. Abbondandelo’s influence reaches “every corner of our building and every facet of our science program.” Her leadership and support extends to both her fellow educators and her students. “She has touched the lives of students who now pursue careers in medicine, research, nursing, engineering, and education…Her students know she believes in them and will always be in their corner. She is consistently one of the first faculty members to arrive each morning, opening her classroom early so that any student seeking extra help or support has a place to go,” said Dr. Murphy. One former student, now in their fourth year of college as a Medical Diagnostics major and preparing to become a Physician’s Assistant, said “In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I truly believe Mrs. A played a major role in helping me figure out my path. She made learning personal, meaningful, and fun.”

 

For colleagues, she is an invaluable mentor for educators just beginning their careers, and contemporaries who are seeking professional advice. “She has been the person colleagues turn to for thoughtful guidance, instructional clarity, lab design support, or simply encouragement,” explained Dr. Murphy. 

 

When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find Ms. Abbondandelo on the basketball court. She’s been the Assistant JV Girls Basketball Coach since 2018, and plays a large support role in the Varsity program as well. Walt Whitman assistant principal Dr. Scott Muller says because of Ms. Abbondandelo’s ability to connect with students “it is clear that [the athletes] respect and look up to her as their coach. [She] has a great sense of humor, and this allows her to connect to her students, both on the court and in the classroom.”

 

Ms. Abbondandelo attended LIU Post on a full basketball scholarship and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education. She continued on to Adelphi University where she received a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and Science. Additionally, she has an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University.  She has New York State teaching certifications in Secondary Education General Science and Biology Grades 7-12, and Elementary Education N-6.  She spoke with us about her teaching career and what being named Teacher of the Year means to her.

 

Q & A

 

 

What inspired you to become an educator?
I always wanted to become a teacher and I loved studying biology.  My high school basketball coaches, Mr. Don Laux and Ms. Joanna Commander inspired me to follow my dream to become an educator and coach.

 

 

What is your favorite part of the school day?
My favorite part of the school day is always when I am with my students doing activities and labs that really engage them in the learning process.  Of course, I look forward to putting my sneakers on at the end of the day and joining the team in the gym for a great practice.

 

 

What have your students taught YOU?
Students teach me things all the time, especially when I listen to them about their challenges and I admire their perseverance.  It always reminds me how fortunate I have been with the family I grew up in and the career and family I enjoy today.  

 

 

How do you demonstrate your Wildcat Pride? What makes the South Huntington School District special to you?
I am extremely proud of South Huntington and I believe I show it most through my role in the Girls Basketball Program.  This district is truly a second home for me and many of my most treasured friendships are with the teachers and coaches I work with everyday.

 

 

What does being named Teacher of the Year mean to you?
Being named Teacher of the Year is a tremendous honor that most certainly could have been given to so many other more deserving colleagues at Walt Whitman High School. I am truly humbled and grateful for the recognition.

 

 

(this interview has been edited and condensed for clarity)
 

 

 

Walt Whitman High School principal, Dr. John Murphy (right) and assistant principal, Mr. Jon Varlamos (left) join in congratulating their building’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Tina Abbondandelo (center).