From Jefferson County in upstate New York, Shannon Zaykoski joins our district as Birchwood’s new band teacher!

Ms. Zaykoski attended Crane School of Music and graduated in 2014, then pursuing her master’s degree at Boston University, which she gained in 2017. She taught fourth and fifth-grade band with experience in general music in upstate New York for seven years before returning to Long Island in July. Ms. Zaykoski was hired in May and began her teaching in the district in September at the start of this school year.

“I feel so welcomed, they’re not kidding when they call it the Disney World district,” Ms. Zaykoski said. “Everyone’s so friendly,” she added.

Coming up, Ms. Zaykoski is preparing the fifth graders for their concert on February 3rd, where they will perform two pieces at Walt Whitman High School.

Outside of her teaching, Ms. Zaykoski is assisting the Maplewood Intermediate School theater program with the Jukebox Musical. She loves musical theater, and has performed before, along with experience with playing in the pit. Throughout her own musical education, she played the French horn.

Ultimately, she loves softball and used to coach a junior varsity team. She also loves to read, spend time with family, and cook.

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From Houston, Texas, Lisa Morabito joins our district as Oakwood’s new music teacher!

Ms. Morabito grew up in Syracuse, NY, and earned her bachelor’s and master's degrees at the Crane School of Music. She was a student teacher in Long Island before moving to Texas where she taught general music in the Klein District. Ms. Morabito then moved to Smithtown, wanting to come back to Long Island. She started teaching at the beginning of this school year, and has been thoroughly enjoying it.

“It’s like a dream being here,” Ms. Morabito said. “There’s such a great support system here, everyone has been amazing and the kids are amazing,” she added.

Some of the second graders performed in their winter concert sing-along before the holiday break, and the rest will perform in their spring concert. Currently, Ms. Morabito is helping as the director for their theater program at the school, where the students will perform Bugs in the spring as well.

Ms. Morabito played the French horn during her college years, and outside of teaching, she loves being outdoors, especially hiking and taking her dog on walks. She does a bit of photography as well, and joined a community orchestra where she continues to play the French horn.

We look forward to the wonderful music to be heard from our elementary students under the direction of our new teachers!