Teacher tenure and beards in Wantagh

Wantagh High School social studies teacher, Steven Benner, was recommended for tenure at the Board of Education meeting last Thursday night.

The teacher for grades 7 through 12 will be granted tenure effective Dec. 7 and will be recognized at a spring reception in May along with other teachers who have received the honor.

“Since Steve arrived in Wantagh,” Superintendent Maureen Goldberg said, “he has demonstrated himself to be an outstanding addition to our secondary staff in the social studies department.”

Prior to joining the staff at Wantagh, Benner received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Adelphi University with a summa cum laude distinction and taught at the middle school level for the East Meadow School District. Benner also taught as a part-time teacher before being appointed to the full-time staff in Wantagh.

“Steve has been involved with so much more then with just the usual classroom responsibilities,” Goldberg added.

Benner organized a successful trip to Washington D.C. for the 10th-grade class, as well as a trip to Philadelphia for 11th-grade students. Benner serves as secretary to the high school Shine committee and is as an advisor to Model Congress.

“In all ways,” Goldberg said, “Steve has added his positive energy to our social studies department and to the fabric of our school in general.”

Teachers from the high school social studies department are also participating in a “No Shave November” contest to raise money for charity. Teachers are raising funds for children who are in difficult financial situations.

“The kids are sponsoring us to let it grow,” teacher Kevin Shapiro said, pointing to his beard. “We do this for a few weeks and come the end of the month, each kid is going to have the chance to bid on each faculty member. The winning kid will get to select what we do with our facial hair for one day.

“I Googled some possibilities for my facial hair,” Shapiro added with a laugh. “I just hope they don’t.”

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Wantagh High School auditorium. For more information on upcoming PTA food drives and holiday fundraisers, visit www.wantaghschools.org.