Bellmore-Merrick Teachers Honored as Educators of Excellence

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District English teachers Brett Schwartz and Laura Sheridan-Carbone have been recognized as New York State English Council Educators of Excellence.

A graduate of Kennedy High School, Schwartz completed his student teaching at Mepham High School and has been teaching reading at Merrick Avenue Middle School for the past seven years.

Although he is a reading instruction specialist, Schwartz has also made it a priority to engage with the entire school population. Each year, he functions as master of ceremonies of the Scripps Spelling Bee schoolwide competition and is the school’s literary magazine adviser. He also can be counted on to support students by attending school events such as the musical and various sport competitions.

“He is a staple in the English department as well as the entire MAMS school community,” said Kim Serpe, English chairperson. “Mr. Brett Schwartz so richly deserves this award.”

Sheridan-Carbone has been teaching at Bellmore-Merrick for the past 17 years. Starting her career at Kennedy High School, she answered the call to teach at the Meadowbrook Alternative Program after year six and has never looked back. She has taught every single English class there at some point, including AP Language and AP Literature.

“No school year would be complete without Ms. Sheridan-Carbone’s organization and orchestration of the multi-faceted Shakespeare Festival,” said Serpe.

The application process included a letter of nomination and letters of recommendation from supervisors and colleagues. Schwartz and Sheridan-Carbone were formally honored at an awards ceremony at the New York State English Council’s annual conference held in Albany on Oct. 21 and will be honored again by the Long Island Language Arts Council in May 2017.

Photo: Bellmore Merrick Central High School District