Plainedge Middle School has something to celebrate; teacher Susan Wells has been named a “Distinguished Teacher of 2015” by the Harvard Club of Lon
g Island.
Wells will be honored at the Harvard Club of Long Island’s annual University Relations Luncheon on April 26. She was selected as one of 14 teachers from across Long Island to receive this award.
Wells, who teaches eighth grade earth science at the middle school, has taught for 18 years; 13 in the district and five at the college level at C. W. Post University, where she earned her master’s in earth science.
A lover of science, one of her favorite memories is experiencing zero gravity. After undergoing training at Northrop Grumman, Wells was flown into restricted air space on a specially modified, FAA approved aircraft, called G-Force One. The plane looped through a series of parabolas to achieve weightlessness for 20 to 30 seconds multiple times.
Nominated by her former student James McCaffrey, who will graduate from Harvard College in June 2015 and who currently serves on the Board of Directors for the HCLI, Wells was described as “the first teacher who consistently challenged me with seemingly unattainable academic expectations.”
“Her wit and sarcasm effectively managed her classroom and made her students feel like mature high schoolers,” said McCaffrey. “Her hilarious responses to unnecessary student outbursts created a lighthearted learning environment, and cultivated respect for her teaching authority. She often demonstrated both compassion and charity in a real-world setting.”
Wells’ former student went on to say that she was the teacher that his family continues to talk about, as she was McCaffrey’s most impactful teacher, even after his high school and college years.
At the ceremony, the Harvard Club of Long Island will announce the Distinguished Teachers of 2015 who will also receive scholarships for a “Harvard experience” at the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA. Past winners of the scholarships have enhanced their teaching by sampling some of the resources available to Harvard students. They have met with faculty, visited research laboratories, rare book archives and specialty museums, and enjoyed visual and performance art. The scholarships are funded by contributions from Harvard alumni living on Long Island.
“Our awards honor teachers who transform lives,” said Dr. Judith Esterquest, Harvard Club of Long Island Chair of the Distinguished Teacher Selection Committee.
Dedicated teachers like Ms. Wells offer Long Island students deep expertise, extraordinary talents, and countless hours of devotion. By capturing the minds and imaginations of our children, preparing them for challenges that were unknown even a few decades ago—academic, social, political, cultural—these teachers shape our country’s future.”
When Anthony DeRiso, the principal of Plainedge Middle School, learned of this award, he was not surprised, stating that Wells spends time getting to know her students and sends the message that they can be successful in any way they choose.
“This is always at the forefront of Ms. Wells’ interactions with students and therefore, her students are overwhelmingly successful and love her immensely,” said DeRiso.
What is most remarkable about Ms. Wells, is the relationship she builds with students—both inside and outside of the classroom—instilling confidence and self-worth in each that continues with them throughout their lives.”
