By Carol P. Bartold, Senior Reporter

May 3, 2017: In a unanimous vote at its April 25 meeting, the Bronxville Board of Education granted tenure to two Bronxville School administrators and eleven teachers, effective September 1, 2017.

Administrators Dr. Mara Koetke, director of curriculum and instruction, and Trisha Murray, elementary school principal, were granted tenure. "Both of them have worked creatively to bring new ideas and new energy to our school," said Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone, "and have been impressive additions to our leadership team."

Five elementary school teachers received tenure:

• Rosana Colliniates, grade 5 teacher, has demonstrated leadership relating to the introduction and implementation of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.

• Heather DeCurtis, grade 4 teacher, serves as an advisor to the student council and represented the district at the 2016 EdLeader21 conference. She piloted a critical thinking assessment in her classroom, a result of attending the conference

• Veronica Fiore, grade 3 teacher, has assumed a leadership role in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.

• Samantha Post, grade 1 teacher, implemented teacher conferences with her students that allowed her to quickly identify their needs and help them achieve their individual goals.

• Lauren Wright, grade 4 teacher, continually assesses her students' understanding and applies her own critical thinking to instruction to adjust it as needed. She also serves as a student council advisor.

Dr. Minu Thomas, school psychologist for grades 3 through 5, was awarded tenure. She has supported students academically and emotionally by introducing the practice of mindfulness, which has helped them increase their focus and manage anxiety levels.

In the middle school, math teacher Connor Mitchell received tenure, not only for supporting his students, but also for helping them delve deeply into projects and reinforcing their critical thinking skills. Mitchell helped found the Middle School Math Olympiad, which comprises both a club and competitive activities.

High school English teacher Franco D'Alessandro was awarded tenure. He has introduced new genres to his classes and increased the overall rigor of the high school English program. He has also introduced playwriting to high school students.

Alumnus Patrick Clark, middle and high school special class teacher, received tenure. "He is an integral part in ensuring our special needs students feel included and engaged in our broader Bronxville School community," said Dr. Rachel Kelly, assistant superintendent for human resources and pupil services.

Two district-wide teachers also received tenure:

• Brad Ashley has introduced new technology opportunities for students in theater technology, logo design, web design, programming, and digital citizenship. He has increased computer science offerings in the high school and has worked with teachers to incorporate meaningful technology into their instruction.

• Gillian McGovern teaches physical education in all three schools and helps students think critically about their personal performances as well as the power of teamwork.

Students Mary Grealy, Lyric Abbott, Isabel Sondey, Kunzang Namgyal, Olivia Gravie, and Andrew Howson, all members of the class of 2019, addressed the board about their concerns about the lack of the student voice in the tenure process. "The news concerning results of this year's tenure decision was met with confusion, frustration, and devastation felt by many students," Isabel Sondey stated.

At a student-faculty legislature meeting held the day following the publication of the tenure list, students expressed concerns about not being able to play a more active role in providing feedback about teachers they work with for more than 100 days in a year. Although the students were told that the district had sent an email addressed to their parents soliciting opinions of the teachers nominated for tenure, their investigation found no such emails. Their search yielded three issues of the Bronco Beat sent by The Bronxville School PTA, each with one sentence inviting parents to click on a link for information about giving feedback on those teachers.

"Our recent experience has left us with a feeling of voicelessness that is quite new to all of us," one student said. "The only way we see to find meaning and purpose in what has happened is by changing what will happen in the future. As The Bronxville Promise urges us to have the courage to change, we ask that you [the Board of Education and administration] do, too."

Pictured here:  The Bronxville School.

Photo by A. Warner