By Laura Lane
"Mrs. Ratner is such a caring and giving person," said Jessica Morganstern, 10, without hesitation. "She's like the Wish Care Bear -- you know, the one with the hearts on it."
"I love her hugs; they¹re amazing, like nobody else's," added Lauren Lamonsoff, 10. "She's always supportive of your decision, and you can always come to Mrs. Ratner for advice. She's not tough, tough, blow the house down."
Both girls wanted to share different events they experienced with Ratner, some as early as their first year at Birch, in kindergarten. They said their principal was someone who taught them the importance of keeping a promise, and how important it is to be able to speak about what you believe in.
Ratner was more than a principal for Lamonsoff and Morganstern; she was a role model.
She was also skilled in working with Birch teachers and staff. Her secretary, Jayne Feihel, said she admired her. "I've really enjoyed working with Mrs. Ratner and am really going to miss her," said Feihel. "What impressed me the most about her was her relationship with the children. She usually stops everything if a child comes to her with a problem. The children and the parents are never afraid to talk to her."
But Ratner said that when she arrived, life at Birch was very different. The school was divided, and although Ratner didn't want to detail exactly what had caused the division, she did say that restructuring was needed, as well as a change in philosophy.
"When I was hired, the superintendent asked that I build community within Birch," Ratner said. "I brought in people with common goals and philosophies; we're child-centered, and our curriculum is built around the needs of the children. And I've hired the vast majority of the teachers here, who are bright, confident and caring."
Marcie Glickman, a former third-grade teacher who is now Birch's technology teacher, has worked at the school for 15 years. She remembers what Birch was like before Ratner, and marvels at how the school has grown under her leadership. "Mrs. Ratner brought us together as a community," said Glickman. "Her door is always open, and she's always supportive and encouraging. Mrs. Ratner never had any doubts in my abilities, and I think that's how she is with everyone."
Ratner came to Birch after 25 years in New York City [???] schools. She had been an elementary and reading teacher, and a district office administrator and principal. What struck her immediately about Birch was the diversity of the student body. The district's special education classes are held at Birch, and include several children with autism. Ratner wanted those children to interact with the other students in the school.
Four years ago, she created "special friends," a program in which general education students became lunchtime buddies with autistic children. She said that she feels a great deal of pride in the program's success. "We're blurring the lines between special education," said Ratner, who added that such children are now often mainstreamed into the general classroom. "I think it's important for children to work with children who are different than themselves to see the similarities rather than isolate the differences."
Ratner has also found other ways to help students experience the joy of helping others. Working closely with the PTA, she has encouraged character education. "We've done a lot of outreach," Ratner said, explaining that she encourages Birch children to participate in the student council and the Students Against Destructive Decisions club. "We've provided clothing in the past to a school in Roosevelt and hold the dance-a-thon each year, with the funds donated to the children at Schneider's Hospital. This year we're selling candy around Valentine's Day to donate to the Gleason family for Shannon Gleason, who has cancer. We call it a gift of love."
Ratner has also encouraged parents and even grandparents to become involved in the school's day-to-day activities. She allows them to volunteer in the classrooms and at lunchtime. And she has always encouraged parents to come to her with any questions or concerns. "If there's ever a problem, I know I can speak to Mrs. Ratner to clarify and help me," said Fran Pizzimenti, who has a son in third grade and a daughter who graduated from Birch and is now in Merrick Avenue Middle School. "My daughter had the greatest experiences in Birch -- she flourished here. And my son is doing very well too, and I attribute this to Mrs. Ratner."
Ratner said she has chosen to retire at 56 because she would like to spend more time with her parents, who are both 89. She would also like to travel, and her husband is retiring, too. Ratner is also looking into volunteer work with children's charities and hospitals.
When asked what she will miss most, she said the children and staff. Ratner has formed friendships with her staff and teachers, even attended many of their weddings. She has also encouraged her teachers to further their own education by taking courses at Columbia University.
"She really took an interest in the faculty -- she knows us," said Arlene Musnik, a fourth-grade teacher at Birch who has worked at the school for 14 years. "And she has been a visionary for our school and district in terms of her knowledge of reading and writing. Mrs. Ratner always made sure that we have wonderful books for our children to read. We love her and are going to miss her."
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
