As the end of the school year approaches, a few of NHP’s teachers will be leaving with the graduating class. Science teachers Ms. Gelber and Mr. Shapiro, special education teacher Ms. Gucciardo, athletic director Mr. Maguire and world languages teacher Ms. Salcedo will be departing from this school as they each enter new chapters in their lives.
Throughout Ms. Gelber’s 23 years teaching at NHP, she has taught every science the school offers. The school population reminisced over her love for her students, commitment and unique style of teaching.
“There was a time when she got injured in a hiking accident and still came into school to teach the next day,” senior Rajiv Singh said. “She also balanced our own mental wellbeing with her duty to educate and prepare us for the AP Biology exam.”
“Ms. Gelber was passionate in teaching and truly wanted every one of her students to succeed. Everyday she had a new story to tell that would get everyone laughing, like how a kid asked her if she was alive during the Civil War,” junior Clayton Yu said.
“Maya Angelou wrote ‘My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.’ I hope that all can remember me for my passion, my compassion, my humor and my Gelber-style of teaching and living,” Ms. Gelber said.
Ms. Gelber plans to spend her retirement swimming in the morning, hiking in mountain ranges, reading good novels and occasionally teaching as a substitute.
“Hunter Thompson said ‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!,’” Ms. Gelber said. “I want to be able to proclaim, ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
Additionally, physics and forensics teacher Mr. Shapiro has also filed for retirement. He hopes his teaching left an impact on the students he taught.
“I hope all my former students enjoyed my classes (to the extent some of the droll subject matter of these courses can be enjoyed), and I hope all my students come away with an appreciation of the subject matter, perhaps an interest in some of it, and some pertinent knowledge from my course,” Mr. Shapiro said. “And for my students with strong academic motivation and a thirst for learning (as I have always, and still do, have), I hope I provided them with a strong foundation for their continued studies.”
Not only has he allocated immense time to teaching his students about the intricacies of these subjects, but he has also aided NHP’s chess club in their endeavors, often staying after school to allow students to compete in matches.
“Mr. Shapiro was a really nice and genuine person, and you could tell he enjoyed his profession,” junior Daniel Zekthi said. “As chess club adviser, he made everyone feel welcome, and he had a strong passion for the game. I’m a bit saddened by the news that he’s leaving, but it’s entirely understandable considering what he’s gone through.”
Mr. Shapiro plans on engaging with a wide variety of activities after he recovers from the surgeries he underwent last year.
“What I’m up to now is competing my recovery from three cranial surgeries I had last year. My recovery is going well, and I expect, eventually, to be able to (nearly) fully resume the activities I enjoyed before I became a medical subject: softball, biking, golf, drumming and various other activities,” Mr. Shapiro said. “I have no special plans for retirement, other than to play softball, bike, golf, drum and…chillax! I don’t know whether I’m an oddball (though, of course, everybody is in one way or another), but I don’t enjoy “traveling”. I cringe at traveling. I would love to see many places, including Alaska, Hawaii, Seattle, Tokyo, London, Paris and numerous other places, but I don’t relish the hassle of getting there and back. I’m content to look at these places and read about them on a thing they invented — I don’t know if you’ve heard of it — the internet. So, basically, I’m just going to stay active, stay in shape, enjoy the outdoors (only when the weather is nice, unlike Ms. Gelber, the warrior, who will hike a thousand miles in rain, snow, sleet or dark of night), relax and enjoy my freedom and, most importantly, my wife, children and grandchildren.”
Ms. Gucciardo is also leaving NHP’s hallways after spending her career in the special education department. Throughout her time as a gladiator, she hoped to aid students in their self confidence and ability to problem solve during hard times.
“I hope I was able to show my former students they can overcome obstacles. It may be hard work, but they can persevere and be successful,” Ms. Gucciardo said. “There are many ways to solve a problem, we just have to figure out which way fits us.”
For her retirement, she plans on spending more time with the people she cares about.
“My plans are to spend time with my wonderful husband and children, [and] play with my beautiful grandchildren. [I’m looking forward to] having fun on the beach or anywhere with my friends and family,” Ms. Gucciardo said.
Athletic Director Mr. Maguire will be ending his NHP career to serve as district coordinator of physical education at the Rockville Centre school district.
“I have accepted the District Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics in the Rockville Centre school district,” says Mr. Maguire. “This is bittersweet because I absolutely loved my time at New Hyde Park. Thank you to Dr. Faccio, administration, teachers, coaches, supervisors, security, custodial team and STUDENTS. I am lucky to have worked with so many great individuals and work with such a kind, respectful group of students and student-athletes. Thank you!”
Through his time at NHP, Mr. Maguire hoped to install a sense of perseverance in his students, not only being a teacher or a coach, but a role model.
“I live by the Vince Lombardi quote, ‘Perfection is not attainable but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence,'” Mr. Maguire said. “As the Director of Athletics, Chairperson of Physical Education, Health & FACS I have tried to live that every day to support our coaches and teachers to the best of my ability AND to provide our students with the best experience possible.”
“My hope is that current & former students / student-athletes feel like I worked hard each and every day to improve our Health, Physical Education, & Athletics programs. That I am proud to be a Gladiator and will always be there to support them.”
“Mr. Maguire has shown me what it’s like to have someone rooting for you who’s not your coach or on your team. Since he always had a smile on his face, his time as athletic director constantly encouraged me to do the same and be a better athlete and person. That being said, he’s been so much more than an athletic director, but a friend as well,” junior Deborah Aderibigbe said. “I’m really glad that Mr. Maguire has a new opportunity to showcase his capabilities and kindness in another school district. It’s upsetting that he’s leaving NHP, but I have a feeling the mark he’s left on the school will be felt for years to come.”
Along with these teachers, another one of NHP’s most beloved teachers and role models, Ms. Salcedo, is finishing her last year at NHP and continuing her career as an educator as world language coordinator for the Bethpage school district. During her 15 years of teaching, Ms. Salcedo has touched the lives of many.
“Ms. Salcedo always understood and valued us. She taught her lessons with humor and activities that always made learning Spanish fun,” junior Nikhil Mathew said. “She will always be there for us even after she leaves.”
“Leaving NHP isn’t an easy choice for me. I have spent my whole young adulthood here! However, I am excited to embark on my next chapter. My most memorable moment as a teacher is being recognized by the student body as their teacher of the year two years ago. It truly made everything that I do for my students that much more special. I’d hope that my students would always remember me as their safe space, the person who truly cares about how they are doing and wants to always see them succeed,” Ms. Salcedo said. “I’d hope my colleagues would remember me as the coworker who’d lend a helping hand with no questions asked, someone who would try to always keep a smile on people’s faces. I will truly miss NHP, and I am thankful for all that I’ve learned and all the memories of over the past almost 15 years that I will take with me.”
All of these teachers will be greatly missed, but their positive impact on students and faculty will continue to be felt throughout the school. NHP wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
