Finley Teacher Vincent Tannazzo Honored at Dinner
Vincent Tannazzo has a way about him that wins over the students in his classes and the athletes on his team. They know the J. Taylor Finley Middle School math teacher and Blue Devil athletic coach is four-square behind them and always in their corner.
A graduate of Syosset High School, Mr. Tannazzo earned bachelor and master degrees at Long Island University-CW Post College. He studied business on the undergraduate level before earning a graduate degree in secondary math education when his attention turned toward classroom teaching.
Initially hired to cover the classes of a Finley teacher out on a leave of absence, Mr. Tannazzo joined the faculty full-time in September 2003. “I am fortunate enough to have taught in Huntington for the past 13 years,” the veteran educator said. “I enjoy teaching such a diverse group of students.”
Mr. Tannazzo and his wife, Jaclyn are the parents of a four year old daughter, Daniella and a two year old son, Vincent Jr. The Finley teacher participated in Finley’s mentoring program for many years, working outside of his regular classroom duties to provide support and assistance to some of the seventh and eighth graders that needed it the most.
This marks the 13th year that Mr. Tannazzo has coached boys’ lacrosse at Finley. Next fall will be his sixth season as the Blue Devil varsity girls’ soccer team’s assistant coach. Prior to that he coached the Finley boys’ soccer team for two years, the junior varsity boys’ soccer squad for two years and JV girls’ soccer for a season.
“Coaching here has been extremely rewarding,” Mr. Tannazzo said. “Both programs have been successful, which is a testament to the talented athletes and coaches that I have worked with.”
Mr. Tannazzo was recently honored at the Huntington High School Distinguished Seniors dinner, which recognized the top scholars in the Class of 2016. The seniors selected him as Finley’s faculty honoree as an acknowledgement of his exceptional service to the young people of the community.
The Finley teacher was introduced to the Distinguished Seniors dinner crowd of nearly 350 by Katie Reilly. Mr. Tannazzo coached the teenager on the varsity girls’ soccer team for the past five seasons and the two established a bond with one another.
Ms. Reilly read a poem to the crowd that she wrote about Mr. Tannazzo and what he has meant to her and her classmates. She is headed to Princeton University in the fall, but she will never forget the Finley teacher and Blue Devil coach.
“It really was a true pleasure to get to know Mr. Tannazzo over the years,” Ms. Reilly said. “In the classroom and on the field he was always there with a smiling face willing to help in any way and that did not go unnoticed. I am excited for the next soccer players or math lovers who get the opportunity to meet someone who really has made a difference in not only my life, but many others as well.”