Herald Head of the Class Bank of America Spotlight

Long Island’s Top Teachers Honored at Herald Head of the Class Awards

The inaugural Herald Head of the Class Awards, presented by Bank of America, honored the best and brightest teachers on Long Island with a gala virtual ceremony on June 16 that celebrated the …
2021 Winners

Meet the Teachers
The Finalists

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Gia Nigoghossian, Glenwood Landing Elementary School, Third Grade

Why did you become a teacher?  To be honest, I didn't always know I wanted to become a teacher. I knew I enjoyed helping people, but I wasn't a very good public speaker, …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Jackie DeMainto, Hewitt Elementary School

Why did you become a teacher? I always loved to play teacher with my sisters growing up.  I idolized my elementary school teachers and wanted to be just like them.  They had such a …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Jennifer Monsour, South Side Middle School, ELA

Why did you become a teacher? I have been drawn to teaching since I was a little girl.  I loved Little House on the Prairie and dreamed of being Laura Ingalls Wilder in a one-room …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Joshua Levitt, Freeport High School Social Studies

Freeport High School's Joshua Levitt talks about helping students achieve their potential. Why did you become a teacher?From a young age I knew I enjoyed teaching. Throughout my time in Boy …

Herald Head of the Class: Sara Perrone, East Rockaway Junior Senior High School, Grade 9 English

Sara Perrone: Why did you become a teacher? My mother is a teacher, and our weekly field trips to the library inspired my love of reading. From a young age, I've always been intrigued as to how …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Melissa Polzella, Covert Avenue School, Fifth Grade

Melissa Polzella, a fifth-grade teacher, reflects on her desire to help students in the classroom.

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Michelle Palmer, Baldwin Middle School Life Skills

Special education teacher, Michele Palmer, reflects on her experience and path on becoming a life skills teacher. 

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Steven Anusiak, Seaford High School Life Skills

Seaford High School's Steven Anusiak talks about teaching life skills and helping students transition to the "real world." Why did you become a teacher? To help people with disabilities …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Lynda Last, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County 4th Grade

Lynda Last of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County talks about the importance of mindfulness and positivity in the classroom. Why did you become a teacher? I was inspired to become a teacher by a …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Catherine Temps, Hicksville High School Industrial Art

Catherine Temps of Hicksville High School discusses why she became a teacher, why teaching students practical skills is important and more. Why did you become a teacher?My grandmother influenced …

Herald Head of the Class 2021: Eliza DellaMonica, Wantagh Elementary School Music

Why did you become a teacher?I became a teacher because I wanted to give students the opportunities and positive experiences that I had with learning music growing up. Some of my most favorite …