The Happy Teacher
Joan Balsari rolls with the punches, and like most people, she's taken a few over the years. She's been involved with the Huntington School District in one way or another for just about her entire life. First as a student, later as a teacher aide and for the past 15 years as a teacher at Washington School, Mrs. Balsari's involvement in the district has run deep.
"I can't wait to get to work each day," Mrs. Balsari said. She's been a mainstay on Washington's faculty since 1995. Students are in for a real treat when they get assigned to this teacher's classroom. Of course, they can expect to work hard, but there will be plenty of laughing, too.
Mrs. Balsari is known to play classical music in the room and the sound of harps has carried down Washington's hallways more than a few times. The school is a veritable melting pot and that suits this teacher just fine. "We are really diverse and I enjoy that," she said. "All of the students really get along with each other. It doesn't take them long to become good friends."
Mrs. Balsari earned an undergraduate degree in education at SUNY College at Old Westbury and a Master's degree in reading at Dowling College. She obtained teaching certification in ESL through Adelphi University and secured certification as an administrator through Stony Brook University.
Born to a Huntington family, Mrs. Balsari attended elementary and secondary school here and graduated from Huntington High School with her future husband, Dennis in 1968. The couple's only child, Denielle graduated from Huntington in 2003. Today she works as a teacher in Commack, after earning an undergraduate degree at Providence College.
Jefferson Elementary School Principal Philip Nardone hired Mrs. Balsari as a special case aide. When he moved over to Southdown School, Mrs. Balsari followed him. "He was really responsible for me going back to school," she said during a recent interview. "He said that because I was always around children and they responded so positively to me, that I should get a teaching degree."
After securing a teaching certificate, Mrs. Balsari worked as a substitute for six years before then Washington Elementary School Principal John J. Finello gave her a probationary appointment and eventually recommended her for tenure. The pair shares an interesting connection. "We both graduated from Huntington in the same class," Mrs. Balsari said.
"I was so happy for Jay when he became superintendent," Mrs. Balsari said about Mr. Finello, who has been Huntington's superintendent since July 2001. "He cares so much about the district and has so much institutional and community knowledge. We've probably never had a person so well-prepared for the job."
At Washington, Mrs. Balsari has taught first and second grades. "After 15 years of nearly constant changes, I still love my job," she said. "Getting up every morning and going to school gives me such a good feeling. I love seeing the children coming through the door with so much energy and a twinkle in their eyes."
Described by colleagues as a "real workhorse," Mrs. Balsari comes to work early and often returns at night or even during vacations for a few hours of quiet work in her classroom. "I get a lot done when no one is around," she laughed. The veteran has a quick commute since she lives waking distance from the high school and less than three miles from Washington.
"I encourage students to think for themselves and to come up with their own solutions and answers," Mrs. Balsari said. "I don't impose myself on anyone. Every student should feel comfortable and be happy to come to school. When a child feels good about himself and about his class, he will soar. It's exciting to watch it happen."
Mrs. Balsari worked in the district's summer reading program for ten years, including three years as its principal. When it was discontinued as a result of budget cuts, she went was hired as the director of Project Play/St. John's camp by the Town of Huntington.
With no plans to retire anytime soon, Mrs. Balsari takes joy in seeing each day unfold. "There's never a dull moment when you work with children," she said.