COMMACK SCHOOLS

Wood Park first-grade co-teacher Tonya Stahlmann has been an exemplary member of the Commack Schools family for 30 years.

And on Friday morning, superintendent Dr. Jordan Cox presented her with a Commack Star award for consistently going above and beyond on behalf of her students.

“Her passion for supporting her students is unmatched,” Dr. Cox told the assembled Wood Park staff during a morning gathering. “Having general education, special education and reading certifications, Tonya is skilled in helping all of her students achieve to the best of their abilities.

“Her dedication to her students is evident in so many ways. She fosters a warm, nurturing learning environment where her students feel comfortable taking risks and pushing themselves to achieve.”

Stahlmann consistently participates in school-wide leadership initiatives. She also participates on the district’s primary-level ELA curriculum writing team. And she has been an informal mentor to teaching assistants within the ICT program.

“Tonya is truly a beacon of light, shining a path for so many colleagues to follow,” Dr. Cox said. “Every day she enables her students to reach for the stars.”