Three Syosset School District Educators Honored By Harvard Club

Three Syosset School District educators were recently recognized by the Harvard Club of Long Island.

Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante was recently named a “Distinguished Educator” while Kim Costa, who teaches English at South Woods Middle School and Georgette Kagan who teaches social studies at the high school were both recently named a “Distinguished Teacher.”

Costa’s former student nominated her for instilling a love for reading, writing and public speaking that was absent prior to becoming her student.

“This year I am writing my senior thesis and I often remind myself of the skills I learned in [Costa’s] eighth-grade class: reading texts carefully, making a cogent analysis, and clearly articulating an argument," the former student wrote. "Ms. Costa’s influence is even apparent in my extracurricular activities: her penchant for poetry kindled one in me, which led to the vice presidency of my high school literary arts magazine, and at Harvard to create a Poetry Public Service Project with a federal judge.”

Durante’s nominator compared the principal to a teacher and called him a mentor invested in all students who instilled in her empowerment and optimism and supported her along the way.

“Dr. Durante made it an absolute joy for all of us to come to school every day, creating a positive environment, not only for us to excel in our work, but also for teachers to," the student wrote.
He made me recognize the importance of creating such an environment in my own work, which I continually strive to do in my leadership activities at Harvard."

Kagan was nominated by a former student who called her an inspirational teacher who fascinated students with her account of international trips, her insight into historical events and her personal awareness of current events.

“Most noteworthy is Ms. Kagan’s investment in each and every one of her students. I will always remember how she allowed my thoughts to be heard in a sea of other students," the student wrote. "I would consider myself a success if I could inspire just one of my students that way she has inspired me.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tom Rogers congratulated the trio on their accomplishments.

“We are fortunate to have these three as part of our team, and they deserve this recognition," he said. "They epitomize what a Syosset education stands for: preparing students for success in college, their careers and life.”

Every year the Harvard Club recognizes between 40 to 60 Distinguished Teachers, with 12 to 14 honored as finalists for a Harvard fellowship, the latter of which Costa has been named.

Fellowship winners will be announced at a university luncheon in April.

Congratulations to Dr. Giovanni Durante, Kim Costa, and Georgette Kagan!