By:Laura Lane
Honigman, an educator for the past 35 years, said leaving Fayette is hard. People were surprised by his decision, since it came after the last day of school. "I had to leave for personal family reasons," said Honigman. "It was a difficult decision for me, which involved a great deal of deliberation and sleepless nights."
Honigman, 57, is the father of two grown children, and has lived in North Merrick for 25 years. Before taking the job as Fayette's principal, he worked in New York City schools as an assistant principal and teacher in middle schools. He attributes some of his education philosophy to his experiences there. "I had learned in the city schools the importance of teamwork," said Honigman. "I brought what I learned to Fayette."
Honigman introduced his collaborative work ethic to staff, parents and children when he started as principal. "I made sure children always achieved a sense of success in a warm and nurturing environment," he said. "There was always a welcome mat on my door, which I told parents and staff."
Honigman also believed in the importance of character education. "In order for children to be truly successful," he said, "they need to develop a sense of respect and responsibility."
The kindergarten monitoring program was an example of his belief in teaching about character and citizenship. It also helped alleviate the anxiety that young children often feel when entering school for the first time. Beginning the first day of classes, the program guaranteed that a sixth-grader was waiting for each new kindergarten student. An older child escorted each 5-year-old into the building for the first three weeks of school.
Probably the most popular idea that Honigman brought to Fayette was the Student of the Month program. Children were chosen for the honor by their teachers when they exhibited good character traits.
Parent Carol Passeser said the program benefited her child. "It really helped my daughter because she was having difficulties," said Passeser. "When she became the Student of the Month, she felt she was accomplishing something and was being rewarded for her hard work."
Honigman's office was filled with drawings that children created for him. The principal always encouraged students to drop by his office and share any special pictures they had done. He also had them come by to read to him. And if children received special recognition from their teachers for their work, Honigman was on hand to further compliment the child.
"I wanted to create a positive school experience," said Honigman. "I tried to be in the classroom every day to greet the kids and share this."
All three of Passeser's children had Honigman as their principal. She said she will miss him. "He's been a great principal," said Passeser. "Whenever you turned around when something was going on, Mr. Honigman was there too," she said. "And he wasn't just a disciplinarian; the kids felt they could go to him with a problem. He was there as a friend."
Passeser said Honigman also helped her personally with her PTA legislative work. Unhappy about the fourth-grade state tests, she wanted to voice her dissatisfaction in Albany, but wasn't sure where to begin.
"Mr. Honigman agreed with me that I didn't think the testing was right, and he guided me with who to contact and made sure each class had letters for parents to fill out to be sent to Albany," said Passeser. "When I tried to get the traffic beacons installed in front of the school, he also helped me by telling me who to call. It took us seven years to secure it, but he was instrumental in supporting and guiding me to get it done."
Honigman said what he most enjoyed about being Fayette's principal was "getting up each morning and knowing that he was coming" to the school.
"It's been a very enjoyable, joyous career for me," said Honigman. "I was always so impressed by how much the children loved school. They'd run into the building like they were running into a carnival. This excitement of being here always impressed me."
Honigman is also headmaster of the Long Island University Center for Gifted Youth at C.W. Post. The position requires him to work on Saturdays and some additional hours in the summer. He also prepares graduate students for a career in teaching at Mercy College. Honigman will continue in these capacities.
Although he's taking a break from the rigors of being an elementary school principal, Honigman sees himself returning to a similar position sometime in the future. "I'll take a little time off now and then resume as a school leader or consultant," said Honigman. "I don't see retirement as hitting a golf ball on the green. And I'll continue to have lunch on a regular basis with the teachers at Fayette."
