I am a product of the Commack School District. As a child, I played in the Commack Little League and soccer leagues. I grew up with church every Sunday, Boy Scouts, piano lessons, three younger brothers and loving parents. I rode my bike on the Commack streets with school friends until the streetlights glimmered and ran after the hypnotic ring of the ice cream truck when it came within earshot. I am married to a wonderful woman and have six beautiful children ranging from 8 to 18. Needless to say, it is never a dull moment in the Hand house.
I earned my Bachelors Degree in Education and a Minor in Music from SUNY Cortland. I continued my education and earned a Masters of Science in Reading and, being a lifelong learner, earned a second Masters in Educational Technology and Multimedia. I am Wilson Certified and am trying to improve my Spanish.
I enjoy what I do and try my very best to prepare each of my students for an ever-changing future. I hope to instill a love of learning, respect for one’s self and fellow students, the power of teamwork, the awareness of making responsible choices and how to bounce back positively when mistakes are made, and finally the power of forgiveness and perseverance.
I look forward to a rewarding school year and being your child’s fifth grade teacher.