As the school year comes to an end, we bid a temporary farewell to teachers and friends. But this year, we are also saying a more permanent goodbye to a few teachers who have influenced our experiences and will be moving onto the next phase of their lives: our beloved retirees, Mr. Walsh, Mrs. Troiano, Ms. Foisy, Mr. Fusaro, Ms. D’Auria, and Mrs. Cafarelli-Hains.
Mr. Walsh
When did you start working at Nyack?
“I started working in Nyack a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.”
What will you miss most?
“I will miss the students, my colleagues, and the coffee.”
What inspired you to teach?
“I always loved art and working with kids- It's been a great experience teaching in Nyack in particular.”
What are your hobbies/ interests?
"My hobbies include biking, dog walking and repeating stories to those who will listen.”
What are your future plans?
“My future plans are to look to relocate- likely in a sunny climate, and keep making art."
Mrs. Troiano
When did you start working at Nyack?
“I started working at Nyack High School in the fall of 2002. It was my first teaching job, and I never wanted to teach anywhere else.”
What will you miss most?
“I will miss the daily energy of the high school; every day is a new experience. However, the students have really been the joy in my profession, and I will miss them very much.”
What inspired you to teach?
“My life had a different trajectory than many teachers. After working in the corporate world as a young woman, I decided to partner with my husband to run his business; that allowed me to be able to stay home and raise my only child and help care for my ill mother. After my mom passed away, I returned to college and was inspired by my love of literature and the suggestions of my professors. It was a wonderful decision.”
What are your hobbies/ interests?
"I love reading and working in my house and yard. I also love walking, hiking and promoting animal welfare. There will now be time to engage in all of it."
What are your future plans?
“My future plans include spending a lot of time in nature. I may also audit more classes in New Paltz (my alma mater). Mostly, I intend to enjoy and embrace my life. Everything is possible.”
Ms. Foisy
When did you start working at Nyack?
"I started at Nyack in September, 2006."
What will you miss most?
"The students! I will especially miss the opportunity to get to know so many new and interesting young adults each year. So many different personalities and interests - I've learned as much and drawn inspiration from the students I've taught. I will also miss those moments when a student finally understands a new concept, and there is a big, 'AHA!'"
What inspired you to teach?
"I started out my first dozen or so years as a mechanical engineer and had no real intention of becoming a teacher. Two reasons that I ended up in education: (1) I had worked as a TA in graduate school and found it really rewarding. Also, my father was a math professor, and I always admired his method of helping me with homework: He never out-right gave me an answer, but would pepper me with questions until I came up with the solution on my own. I wanted to emulate that. (2) Pragmatically, working in a public school enabled me to spend more time with my kids: My last engineering job was with a large, environmental engineering company, and there was no such thing as parental or family leave: pregnancy was considered a disability, and entitled a mother to six weeks of medical disability at 60% pay after giving birth. People were not expected to take days off for sick children or family members, and we only got 10 vacation days per year. "
What are your favorite hobbies/ interests?
"Anything that has to do with the outdoors and nature."
What are your future plans?
"My husband and I are building a house in Sarasota. I'm looking forward to volunteering locally, in a science/nature/wildlife capacity. I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my kids and with my parents and family in Northern NY."
Mr. Fusaro
When did you start working at Nyack?
"I started here in Nyack in 2003, after teaching for 13 years in New York City. I was really excited to be hired as the department chair for visual arts, because it meant I could teach AND work with teachers."
What will you miss most?
"I think I will miss the students most. I have had SO many really wonderful people to work with in my classes over the years. Definitely will miss the students... and my colleagues, who have provided me with lots to laugh about and think about over these years. Cannot thank everyone enough- students and teachers alike- who have put up with me all these years!"
What inspired you to teach?
"My teachers in middle and high school. They were just exemplary human beings."
What are your favorite hobbies/ interests?
"My favorite hobbies include, in no particular order...
Playing guitar
Listening to music
Reading
Working at the studio
Visiting galleries and museums
Going to NY Rangers games #Let's Go Rangers!!!
Writing"
What are your future plans?
"More time in the studio at Garner Arts Center and more travel. I also have to learn to play the mandolin because the Art teachers got me one as a retirement gift. I hope to learn something simple to play for them soon :)"
Ms. D’Auria
When did you start working at Nyack?
"I started in 2003 as a leave replacement for Donna Cashin."
What will you miss most?
"The students. I have learned a lot from them over the years. You get to experience things in HS that I never saw in the hospital, some things were really serious and some just very surprising."
What inspired you to become a nurse?
"I have always enjoyed taking care of people & animals. Vet school was very expensive, so nursing was my next choice because I could afford it."
What are your favorite hobbies/ interests?
"I love to garden, read & take long walks with my puppy, Buddy."
What are your future plans?
"I plan to work as a nurse, but I'm not sure which area I am going to pursue. Hospice looks like a good fit for me."
Mrs. Cafarelli-Hains
When did you start teaching in Nyack?
"I started teaching in 1986, I spent my first two years at West Haverstraw Elementary School in the North Rockland School District, working as a long term substitute for a teacher who was out on maternity leave. I returned in 1988 and after interviewing with Nyack I was offered the position of ENL teacher. I have been working in the Nyack School District since September of 1988."
What will you miss most?
"Without a doubt what I will miss most are my students. It has been a joy for me to help them as much as I could with learning a new language, but also with navigating life in a new country."
What inspired you to teach?
"My reason and inspiration for becoming an ENL teacher were my parents. Both my mother and father immigrated from Sicily, Italy before I was born and as a young child, I witnessed the struggles they endured and overcome as immigrants. I knew I wanted to ease the journey and help others like them in the future."
What are your favorite hobbies/interests?
"I'm hoping I will be able to spend more time enjoying gardening, reading, cooking, and spending time with my two rescue dogs."
What are your future plans?
"At this time, I don't really have any immediate future plans. I don't think the reality of it all will sink in until September rolls around!"