About me... Mrs. Danahy

Elizabeth Danahy

6th ELA Grade Teacher

A Lesson in Commitment, Perseverance, and the Power of Positivity

“My Story”

I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to my 6th Grade ELA Website. I feel that it is important to share “My Story” with you because I believe my most recent life experiences have made me a better person and a different kind of teacher.

On the morning of January 11, 2016, I was dressed for work, thinking that it would be just another Monday. I got up to gather my things for work; as I stood, I thought my left foot had fallen asleep. It quickly became apparent that what I was experiencing was far more serious than my foot falling asleep. I was alone, so I quickly called my husband, who is a teacher in Nanuet, and then 9-1-1. It turns out that I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on the motor strip of the right side of my brain, caused by a ruptured cerebral AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation - a condition that occurs in less than 1% of the population. In 15 minutes, I was totally paralyzed on my left side, from my shoulder right down through my foot. I spent many months re-learning skills that I had taken for granted. In September of 2016, on the first day of school, I had a craniotomy to remove the AVM that caused my stroke. It was the first “first day of school” that I had missed in 24 years. Needless to say, I was elated to be back at the Middle School for the “first day of school” that year.

Since January of 2016, I have re-learned and learned many life skills - from re-learning to walk to learning how to stay focused on short-term goals, while holding long term goals in my heart. So much of what I have learned has made me a better teacher. I can relate to those readers who are struggling. I understand the frustration of being unable to do something that seems so effortless for others. I appreciate that learning takes time, diligence, and lots of patience. I also appreciate the importance of remaining positive. Positivity is the one thing that keeps me moving forward. I am looking forward to sharing my insights on learning with my students.

I remain dedicated to being the best teacher that I can be, continuing my recovery, advocating for young stroke survivors, and promoting AVM/Aneurysm awareness. I am forever grateful for the support that I have received from the Pearl River School District, and I am especially thankful for the ever-present encouragement that I continue to receive from my Pearl River Middle School "family". It is a privilege for me to be able to return to the career that I love and to work with colleagues and students who continue to inspire me.

Some Fascinating Facts About Me...

• I have a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and a M.S.T. from Fordham University.

• I have been teaching at the Pearl River Middle School for 28 years.

• I am married to Tom, who is a hydrogeologist; he teaches Chemistry at Nanuet Senior High School. We both graduated from Clarkstown South High School and met at our 10 Year High School Reunion.

• My son, Ian, graduated from SUNY Maritime College and was a captain of the Lacrosse Team.

• My hobbies include: gardening, hiking, biking, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, skiing (both cross country and downhill), playing the piano, and training Brodie, my Golden Retriever, in Obedience and Agility.

• I love to sing!

• I have three dogs: 2 Welsh Corgis (named Kiri & Maggie) and a Golden Retriever named Brodie.

My mantra is: Pink is positive! I often end posts with... I remain positively pink!

That is why there is so much pink in my classroom.