Congratulations to Maplewood’s Teacher of the Year nominee, Mr. Joseph Slovak! Mr. Slovak has been an educator here in South Huntington for the past 25 years. His colleagues and students look upon him as an enthusiastic, diligent and creative teacher known throughout the halls of the intermediate school as a true role model for students and staff to emulate.
While Mr. Slovak’s job as a physical education teacher centers around the gym, his favorite part of the school day is actually outside the gym walls. He loves bus duty! He looks forward to greeting all the students outside in the morning as they arrive for school, as they get off the buses and out of cars. And, apparently, the kids love that too! Maplewood Principal, Dr. William Hender, says students seek out Mr. Slovak for their morning greeting, and he’s often the “go-to” person to motivate a student to go into the building when they’re anxious about leaving the car in the morning. He also finds ways to encourage students who may be reluctant about participating in an activity or sport to give it a try.
Mr. Slovak says teaching chose him, thanks to the close relationship he had with his younger brother, Steven, whom he describes as very “analytical.” He says he taught and coached Steven in sports, and Steven helped him in the sciences. When he realized how much he enjoyed coaching his brother, he started on his road to becoming an educator. Now Mr. Slovak wants to make sure all students have a chance to feel special and part of a team. So he’s created school events including the Maplewood Cup Floor Hockey Tournament, the Maplewood Turkey Bowl, and 5th Grade Sports Night, plus was part of the initiative to include all students in Maplewood’s 5th Grade Track and Field Day.
Mr. Slovak earned his B.A. from St. Bonaventure University, and his Masters in Physical Education from Adelphi University. In addition to his wife, Mary, and two daughters, Mia and Lily, his colleagues say he’s created a large extended family at Maplewood because when a student enters Mr. Slovak's gymnasium, they not only become one of his students, but also part of his family.
Maplewood Principal, Dr. William Hender (left), and Assistant Principal, Ms. Stephanie Villanueva (right), present Mr. Joseph Slovak as the intermediate school's 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.