Harbor bids farewell to Pat Gelling

It’s a seemingly typical morning at Seaford Harbor Elementary School, as Assistant Principal Pat Gelling greets students at the door. Suddenly, a group of young girls race up to her, upset over an incident that just took place outside.

Gelling gently cups the hand of a young girl who is in tears and guides her to her office. Within minutes the problem is resolved and Gelling moves on to the next task, leading a group of students in the pledge over the P.A. system.

“There is no typical day for me; you have to go with the flow,” she said. “There’s a lot of scheduling, a lot of changes that take place throughout the day. I’m involved with a lot of students, teachers and parents, conduct a lot of classroom observations, participate in a lot of meetings, oversee testing …”

Gelling, 63, said she never expected to stay in Seaford when she and her husband, Gil, bought their house in 1977, but “the sense of community and the dedication of teachers, administration and people really draw you in and it gets into your blood,” she said.

Now, after serving the Seaford School District for 20 years, Gelling will retire at the end of this month.

“What I’m going to miss the most is the connection with the students and the families,” she said.

Gelling became a teacher after raising her own children, Michael, Brian and Sara. During those years she was heavily involved in PTA, working on many committees and serving as treasurer, then president of the Seaford Manor School PTA. She said she was intrigued by how her own children learned to read, and was inspired to pursue a career in education.

She earned a degree in elementary and special education from Molloy College and a master’s in literacy from Hofstra University. She also earned an administrative degree from Stony Brook University. After teaching reading in the district for 12 years, she became the reading chairwoman in 2000.

Her proudest achievement, she said, is the impact the literacy program has had on students. “We brought in the guided reading program about 10 years ago, followed by the Balanced Literacy Program,” she said. “Assistant Superintendent John Striffolino and I co-chair the reading department and work with the reading teachers to implement RTI” — Response to Intervention.

Her biggest strength, she says, is that teachers trust her leadership. “They come to me and we have lots of collegial discussions, and we both grow from that as we work on ideas together.”

Gelling said she plans to explore volunteer opportunities, do a lot of walking and touring, enjoy her family and grandchildren, play mah-jongg and read. Before she departs, she will receive the Patriot Award, which given to outstanding Seaford residents who have demonstrated exemplary service to the schools and community. The American Legion also honored her as educator of the year.