They did much more than teach

In a few weeks, Baldwin High School seniors will accept their diplomas and move on to college or begin their working careers. They will take a variety of skills and lessons with them that they learned in Baldwin schools — and they will no doubt remember the educators who made it all possible.

To commemorate the bond between teachers and students, the school district hosted its 20th annual In Recognition of Excellence Dinner on May 27, at which 10 students with wide-ranging interests — academics, arts and athletics — chose three teachers to honor, one each from elementary, middle and high school.

Throughout the night, there were plenty of laughs, a few teary eyes and a genuine appreciation for teachers who had done more than what was required of them.

Senior Chloe Agostino kicked off the night with a heartfelt speech that culminated with the recognition of her music teacher at BHS, Kristine Simko. Agostino said that Simko had served as a mentor inside and outside the classroom, an experience she would not soon forget. “I know that throughout my life, I will be able to remember your words,” she said, “and you’ll continue to guide me.”

Laura Drew recognized Christine Garguilo (Plaza Elementary School) Joseph Tarantino (Baldwin Middle School) and Karen Hughes (BHS) for making a lasting impression on her. “It is true what they say, that teachers shape the minds of the future,” Drew said. “These three individuals have without a doubt contributed to my success and have made a lasting influence on my life.”

When it was Kester Francis’s turn to speak, he began by saying that he was an introverted student and thanking Debbie Rainis, his teacher at Plaza, for easing him out of his shell. By the looks of it, Francis’s shell is long gone.

He got the biggest laughs of the night when he spoke about his English teacher at BMS, Aidan Byrne. Francis recalled Byrne’s imposing teaching style and how it motivated him to do better. “Usually when you go into a classroom, you expect a teacher to be very warm and very kind,” he said, much to the crowd’s amusement, adding that some of his classmates were intimidated by Byrne’s demeanor, “but I wasn’t frightened by that.”