Malverne to Honor Educators at Annual MLK Celebration

Following a long-standing tradition, all students in the Malverne School District will participate in a special celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., in the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium.

The event will recognize District Chairperson of Music and Fine Arts Michael Messina and first grade teacher Marguerite Robles who will both be bestowed with the district’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. Performances from students from each of the district’s four schools will also be a part of the celebration.

Messina has been a music educator in the Malverne School District for 21 years; including the last 10 in his current position. His most well-known achievement was the founding of The Pride of Malverne, the high school’s marching band, and directing them to win the 2006 New York State Field Band Championship.

In addition to the band’s success, Messina has led students to great heights, including an award-winning high school choral program, outstanding K–12 music and art classes, the fourth-grade band program, the “Pursuit of Pride” band competition and the exemplary annual district art exhibit.

Messina holds a Bachelor of Music from Manhattanville College, a master’s in music education from Five Towns College and a School District Administrator Certificate from LIU Post. As department chairperson, he is a strong supporter for arts education in Malverne and continues to raise the bar for the district’s music and art teachers and students.

Robles has been an early childhood educator for more than 40 years and a resident of the Malverne community for 35. Her children, Matthew and Genevieve, attended Malverne Public Schools and in her role as a parent, she served on countless committees. She held many leadership positions, including past president of Malverne SEPTA, vice president of Central Council PTA, vice president of the Malverne Scholarship Committee and parent member of the district’s committee on special education.

As a teacher in Malverne for more than 27 years, Robles serves as the first-grade Fundations coach, student council adviser, co-adviser of the Reader’s Theater Club, team captain of Relay for Life, member of the Faculty Advisory Committee, director of the district’s Camp-Read-A-Lot program, and member of the Shared Decision Committee. Her classroom has been a model for visits from districts across Long Island, and she is consistently recognized for her contributions to early childhood education.

Robles has also received the Malverne Afterschool Center Director’s Award, The New York State Lottery Educator of the Month, the Lynbrook Elks Teacher of the Year, the Dowling College/News12 Educator of the Week, the Maurice W. Downing Teacher of the Year and the Malverne School District Outstanding Staff Member awards.

Photos: Malverne School District