Retired Finley Counselor Nominated for Award
Although Sandy Dick retired as a J. Taylor Finley Middle School guidance counselor more than two years ago, she’s still involved in the mentoring program there and still contributing to the success of students.
Mrs. Dick began her career in Huntington as a math teacher at Finley in September 1989. She earned an undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College and obtained a master’s at SUNY-Stony Brook.
“When Sandy heard about the Mentoring Partnership of Long Island she became so inspired that she completed the training as quickly as possible and in a few short weeks began the process of recruiting members in our middle school,” said Cathy Cain, a Finley guidance counselor.
“Sandy personally recruited administrators, teachers, custodians, school aides and secretaries,” Mrs. Cain recalled. “Using her skills as a counselor, she was able to easily identify students who would benefit from our no pressure ‘friendship’ model of mentoring. Sandy has always worked long and hard with her colleagues to make mentoring matches that are beneficial and appropriate for both mentors and mentees.”
Mrs. Dick’s practice of making the initial introductions and providing plenty of follow-up with participating adults and students is well-known. “She has planned parties, trips to Broadway shows, baseball games, picnics and bowling,” Mrs. Cain said. “Her trademark is her amazing brownies that have added a special touch to all the mentoring activities. She bakes hundreds of them at a time.”
Before coming to Finley as a guidance counselor, Mrs. Cain was the Woodhull Intermediate School dean of students. After seeing the good mentoring work Mrs. Dick was doing at Finley, Mrs. Cain was so inspired she started a similar program at Woodhull.
Finley foreign language teacher Mary Lou Erickson inherited the mentoring program from Mrs. Dick upon her retirement, but the founder is still involved as a coach to Ms. Erickson. The program is still helping students build positive one-on-one relationships with adults in the building. “It’s a nice program,” Principal John Amato said.
Mrs. Dick has been nominated for a 2010 Mentoring Achievement Award by Mrs. Cain. “Sandy is someone who makes things happen,” Mrs. Cain said.
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