During the Summer Institute, Gaynor held a celebration to honor faculty and staff members who reached key milestones in their years of service. Continuing the newly established tradition from the previous year, milestones were divided into “clusters” to mimic the educational journey of Gaynor students.
Jennifer Cohen with Jill Thompson.
This year, there were many members of our educational team who had reached the dazzling milestones of 15, 25, or 30 years of service at Stephen Gaynor School. Head of School Dr. Scott Gaynor and Assistant Head of School Jill Thompson honored each milestone recipient, celebrating their accomplishments and their dedication to unlocking each Gaynor student’s potential. To celebrate Speech and Language Pathologist Jennifer Cohen reaching 15 years, Ms. Thompson praised her connections with students during their speech lessons, and how she has developed into a strong leader of the speech and language department. She added, “I value your resolve to get things done, no matter what it takes, your incredible sense of humor and sincerity, and your investment in others, whether it’s a student, a teacher, or an SLP.”
Anna Friedman with Jill Thompson.
In the Green Cluster, reaching 25 years at Gaynor are Chair of Occupational Therapy Anna Friedman and Director of Lower Division Donna Logue. Ms. Thompson spoke on Ms. Friedman’s contributions to Gaynor by overseeing the expansion of the OT department, creating executive functioning bootcamps, expanding the sensory hallways our students use every day, and advocating for students during the restricted pod model. To close, Ms. Thompson said to Ms. Friedman, “Anna, you exemplify what it means to be a caretaker, an excellent communicator, and a lifelong learner. Your calm, respectful and collaborative approach with your colleagues and students has resulted in incredible relationships.”
Donna Logue with Jill Thompson and Dr. Scott Gaynor.
Dr. Gaynor then took the mic to offer praise for Ms. Logue, as he has worked closely with her for much of her time here. He noted that Ms. Logue has, “…the mind of an attorney, fighting for each child in her purview with a heart large enough for all of them.” In her time at Gaynor, Ms. Logue has been an Assistant Teacher, an Intermediate Division teacher, an EC teacher and Director, the founder of the Community Learning Center, and Director of the Lower School. Dr. Gaynor added some words from Gaynor’s co-founder Yvette Siegel-Herzog, who called Ms. Logue “a pillar of our school both organizationally and intellectually.” The school is thankful to both Ms. Friedman and Ms. Logue for all they have done for Gaynor over the span of 25 years—their contributions and commitment are priceless.
This year there were three staff members joining the Blue Cluster by having dedicated 30 or more years to Stephen Gaynor School. As Ms. Siegel described it, Speech and Language Pathologist Yosefa Kizelnik began at Gaynor when “we didn’t even know what language was.” Her work at the school beginning 30 years ago has transformed the speech and language department, and helped it blossom into the keystone of the Gaynor curriculum that it is today.
Josefa Kizelnik with Dr. Gaynor.
Director of Educational Evaluations for Admissions Mindy Stern, began her 30 year tenure at Gaynor as an assistant teacher. Her classroom was on the first floor and across from the entrance in the school’s previous home, a brownstone on West 74th street. As Dr. Gaynor described, her teaching was his first exposure to what Gaynor instruction was like, as well as the first exposure to Gaynor instruction for any visitor who stepped into the building. In the years leading up to her current role, Ms. Stern has gotten to know Gaynor inside and out, and uses that knowledge to find what children are the best fit for the school. In the words of Ms. Siegel, Ms. Stern can pinpoint children’s needs accurately, and is able to find the therapeutic byways through which children can absorb the most information and knowledge. “She is always in the right place, with the correct motivation, and brings change about where change can be accomplished,” added Ms. Siegal.
Last but certainly not least, Ms. Thompson took to the floor to celebrate Dr. Gaynor. She described him as a pioneer, someone who saw the vision to reach even more students and families in need of a specialized education, the vision to create a state of the art learning environment and move the school to its home on 90th Street, and the vision to address inequities against historically marginalized groups. In reflecting on all that Dr. Gaynor has done in his time at the school, she said, “Thank you for guiding us to stay true to our mission, for being an incredible mentor and visionary, for pulling us out of the weeds to see the big picture, and for being a pioneer and taking the school from less than 120 students to almost 400 students.” (Read more about Dr. Gaynor’s journey at the school here.) The school and the Gaynor community at large will always be full of gratitude for Ms. Kizelnik, Ms. Stern, and Dr. Gaynor. Their hard work and dedication are legendary, and they have brought incredible innovation to the school’s curriculum and culture.
Gaynor is fortunate to have such wonderful employees, from those who have just joined us, to those who have spent 30 or more years with us. Congratulations to all!
