Senator John Brooks Honors WUFSD Staff

Press release from the Wyandanch Union Free School District:

March 26, 2021

At a combined virtual Black History Month and Women’s History Month celebration, Senator John Brooks honored Wyandanch Union Free School District’s Kesi Tolliver, Monique DeMory and Dr. Monique Habersham for their outstanding work in their schools and communities. The awards ceremony also included student performances and presentations of historical Black and Women figures from Wyandanch and other school districts in Senator Brooks’ District 8.

Kesi Tolliver, has served the school district for the past 12 years and currently serves in the capacity of academic intervention specialist, with a focus on the ELL population. Monique DeMory, lead counselor for the school district, was honored by Senator Brooks due to her dedication to the students of Wyandanch. Monique joined her Alma Matter Wyandanch Memorial High School as a guidance counselor in 2004. She currently serves the same role at the Milton L. Olive Middle School where she is continuing her life’s work as an educator and serving the scholars and the families of the Wyandanch Union Free School District.

Dr. Monique Habersham, principal of Lafrancis Hardiman and Martin Luther King, Jr. elementary schools, was scheduled as a guest speaker highlighting the Black History celebrations within the district was presented with a surprise honor during the ceremony for her steadfast commitment to the Wyandanch Elementary Schools’ organizational systems and structures. Dr. Habersham works daily to maximize teachers’ strengths, and readiness levels by supporting them with researched based instructional practices, inclusive, culturally responsive strategies and developing reflective instructional practitioners as teachers of students of color.

Senator Brooks also highlighted the Black History Month celebrations of Wyandanch students in a special presentation highlighting the importance of teaching and honoring black history during black history month and every month throughout the year. This presentation included Wyandanch student Ketura Ferjuste reciting an original poem called “Curls, Coils and Coconut Oils.” Students from Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School presented work on important Black women figures and following, Dr. Habersham provided a look inside the work of all grade levels ranging from artwork inspired by Black artists, research projects, classroom lessons and the Black History Month speaker series.

The virtual Black History Month and Women’s History Month celebration was hosted by Senator John Brooks to recognize and celebrate the representatives from the towns and communities across District 8 that contribute their time and resources and deserve to be recognized for their success stories.

This press release was produced by the Wyandanch Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.