Rose Ackerly Races to the Finish Line
An era is winding down as longtime J. Taylor Finley Middle School art teacher Rose Ackerly has announced she is retiring at the end of June after more than three decades with the district. She is so identified with the Finley and Huntington that many of her co-workers find it hard to believe.
Mrs. Ackerly earned her undergraduate degree in art education at Nazareth College and obtained a Master’s at Long Island University. She began her career as a leave replacement for a tenured teacher out on a sick leave and has continued in the district ever since, eventually working in seven different schools, but she is most identified with Finley, where she has been assigned since 1986. She has never worked for any district other than Huntington.
“Rose has been one of our best teachers for a long time,” Assistant Superintendent Joseph Giani said. “Her commitment to the district, its students and programs is unmatched. To say she will be missed, is an understatement. She is retiring on top of her game.”
Well-known as a demanding teacher who takes pride in the work of her students, Mrs. Ackerly has helped the Finley art program reach heights that most schools can only dream about. Students receive an exceptionally in-depth art education at Finley and produce high school level work.
In addition to her teaching duties, through the years Mrs. Ackerly coached track, softball, field hockey and lacrosse teams, was varsity cheerleading advisor, was advisor to the Finley student council and art club, mentored art and general education teachers, served as a union representative, was a member of countless hiring committees, headed the chaperones on two Finley music department trips to Disney World and worked with 15 student teachers in the past 20 years. For many years she even helped create the scenery used in school plays.
“Rose Ackerly's retirement has a direct affect on Finley,” Principal John Amato said. “Rose has taught and coached thousands of students. Many come back to see her. She is also Finley's social director. She has such a way of getting everyone to have a good time even when people are stressed out. We will miss her.”
In a recent interview, Mrs. Ackerly reminisced about her life’s work and recalled a stint many years ago at Woodhull Elementary School when that building was used as a 6th grade center with Jack Abrams as its principal. “The teachers were creative, competitive and experts,” she said. It was one of her most delightful experiences in a long career.
“I took her advanced art class with her students during my free period two years in a row so I know first hand the amazing quality of work she gets out of seventh and eighth graders,” said Finley health teacher Dee Weinstock, who is one of Mrs. Ackerly’s closest friends and president of the district’s teacher’s union.
Mrs. Ackerly praised the colleagues she has worked alongside over the years. “I have worked with amazing principals and teachers,” she said. “I’ve had the honor of working with teachers who I learned from everyday. Some of them were newer and younger than me.”
“Rose Ackerly is one of those special people that make up the heart and soul of the Huntington School District,” Superintendent John J. Finello said. “The energy and dedication she has brought to her job and displayed with her students is simply remarkable. She is one of our greatest teachers.”
At one time or another, Mrs. Ackerly has taught in seven district schools. But, Finley will always have a special place in her heart. “It is truly a family atmosphere,” she said about the school located on Greenlawn Road. “The friends that I made at Finley are forever. I have never seen teachers so smart, nurturing and effective. I was proud to place my own children in with most of them.”
Mrs. Ackerly’s twin children, daughter Jackie and son Matthew were members of Huntington’s Class of 2000. Jackie went on to earn a degree from George Washington University and Matthew obtained his undergraduate diploma at Ohio State. “I had the opportunity to raise my children and see my nieces and nephews in a school district that prepared them academically and socially for their adult life,” she said.
Mrs. Ackerly expects to stay busy after she retires from Huntington and is considering several different possibilities. She also intends to travel with her husband, Duane. “I am retiring with a heavy heart,” she said. “This community held my hand during the passing of both my parents and celebrated with me during all of my successes. How can I not feel sad to go?”
“Rose Ackerly is a ‘one of a kind’ institution in the Art Department,” said Joan R. Fretz, director of fine and performing arts. “She is responsible for developing an incredibly comprehensive art program for Finley, which addresses the state standards and prepares every student well for the visual arts opportunities that await them at the high school.”
“The art department has grown into a world of its own,” Mrs. Ackerly said about Huntington’s program. “We have a reputation that is respected throughout Long Island. I’m proud to be a part of this legacy.”
The soon to be retiree said she enjoys seeing former students staying in the community and raising their own children here. “I have seen generations come through the schools,” Mrs. Ackerly said.
“She always gets her students to go to that next level by using her expertise and gentle prodding to make each student artist go beyond what they thought they were even capable of doing,” Mrs. Weinstock said.
“We will miss the expertise, sense of humor and candid feedback that makes Rose such a unique and special member of our staff,” Ms. Fretz said.
It is with decades of memories that Mrs. Ackerly is leaving and the love she feels for her students is intact. “The students have made me laugh,” she said. “They have loved me as I have loved them. Even through difficult times in my life, children have comforted me along with those in the community. The art work they produced was and is of the highest quality because they were willing to challenge themselves. When I had an idea for them, I was always amazed to see the project proceed to fruition – better than I had ever imagined.”
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