“With love, gratitude and Weber Pride,” Weber Middle School principal Marilyn Rodahan announced in a letter to parents that after 25 years of working in education, she has decided to retire at the end of this school year. “I have learned so much from each of you and your children. The Port Washington community will always hold a special place in my heart,” she wrote.
Rodahan came to the Port Washington School District on Sept. 1, 2003, after working as an Assistant Principal in Syosset, a guidance counselor in Seaford, Wantagh and Island Trees, and a pre-kindergarten teacher before that. Although it has been hard work and long hours, including weekends, Rodahan said that working at Weber has been her best job. “Weber is such a big place: 1,200 students, 150 staff members. I feel that my greatest accomplishment has been empowering them to do their best. Not to be best in the world, but best for the world.”
And Rodahan has done just that. One of the first things she did as principal was to create a mission statement, with input from students, parents and teachers. That mission statement holds that “Weber Middle School is a partnership that achieves academic excellence and demonstrates a commitment to social action. Parents, staff and students share the responsibility of creating a respectful and nurturing environment that promotes individuality and celebrates diversity.” The statement has been held at the forefront of much of what Rodahan has accomplished as principal.
As every student who has attended Weber knows, Rodahan loves lions. She created “Weber Pride” and awards “Weber Pride” pins to those who demonstrate excellence. “The cowardly lion [from the Wizard of Oz] was my first love,” she said, “because he had courage, but he didn’t know it. It took seeing a friend hurt to get the courage out.” The goal of Weber Pride is “for all students to develop some leadership to understand that they can make a positive difference, even as a kid.” A group of lions is called a pride, and that is the name that Rodahan chose because she wanted her students to know that “we are so proud of you.”
During Rodahan’s tenure, Weber students have made such a difference. They sent money and cranes to victims of tsunamis. They made pillow case dresses for kids in Africa. They brought food to food pantries. They created fashion out of trash. They developed a video on how to save water, with the help of their technology teacher. They represented Weber at Science and Math Olympiads. They donated so many toys to Winthrop University Hospital last December that a truck had to be sent to pick them all up.
Rodahan is proud that Weber has made a difference at home, in the Port Washington community, as well as in places further away. One of her fondest memories is when a student reported to her that another student had been sleeping on a dryer to stay warm at night. The Weber community mobilized and was able to reach out and help the family. “We hope that our students understand the needs of others,” she reflected.
Rodahan has worked to develop leadership in Weber’s teachers as well as students. She instituted book studies for the faculty. This year, the teachers read Teach Like a Pirate by David Burgess and focused on “how to get your passion into the classroom.” Last year’s book was Mindset by Carol Dwech, which led to discussions about how intelligence is not a concrete number, but must be worked on every day.
Many Weber families meet Mrs. Rodahan by telephone during the first weeks that their child is in middle school. She makes it a point to call every sixth grader to welcome them to her school. “I want everyone to know each one is important,” she explained. “I want to know how they are adjusting as they enter the building.” Rodahan truly believes that we can do our best work when we feel valued.
Perhaps one of Rodahan’s greatest accomplishments is that Weber was designated a National School to Watch in both 2011 and 2014, one of only 18 schools in New York State and 300 in the country to receive the designation. This honor, Rodahan modestly stated, “says we are continually looking to improve as a school community. We don’t sit on our laurels. A school to watch continually looks to improve.” Every month, she meets with both parents and students (separately) to find out “what we are doing well and what we can do better.” She listens to their suggestions. One student suggested that instead of just two houses eating lunch together, students from all four houses should mix. Rodahan agreed with, and implemented, the student’s suggestion.
Rodahan is constantly looking forward. Because Weber is the oldest building in the school district, it has many needs that she is confident will be addressed by the bond that has recently been approved. The portals will be knocked down and the new structure will be connected to the main building, improving security. Science labs will be renovated. Plumbing and wiring issues will be addressed.
As for her own future plans, Rodahan is already busy. She has been teaching graduate school at Hofstra University in Hempstead and will continue. She and her husband have planned a trip to Poland and Iceland for the summer and a cross country trip to the 11 states they have not yet seen in the fall. Her three children, David, a New York City firefighter, Brian, a teacher at North Shore High School, and Megan, the manager of an animal hospital, are thrilled that she will take time to enjoy life.
The district has already placed an advertisement for the middle school principal position with the anticipation that Rodahan’s successor will be chosen before the end of the school year. Does Rodahan have any advice for the next principal? “Learn every day from students, parents and teachers,” she said. “Get to know the community.”
She explained that she has had wonderful experiences with the district administration, the Clergy Council of Port Washington, local businesses, the Port Washington Education Foundation and Hearts, among others. Weber really is “a community school,” she boasted, reflecting on all of the incredible support she has received.
“I have every reason to believe that Weber will continue to be one of the finest middle schools you will ever find,” Rodahan said. Weber Simply the Best, the school’s motto, sums up her views. Parents, staff members, fellow administrators and especially students agree, and will miss the principal who has made it that way.
