By Rachel Kalina
Last month, Marguerite Izzo, a Herber teacher, was named Teacher of the Year for New York, and the school was recognized as a high-achieving, gap-closing school by the State Education Department.
"High expectations for all students is now standard at Herber," said Principal David Zimbler in a report on the school's accomplishments. The 573-student school, which includes grades five through eight, is serving as a model for schools around the country, having been chosen for study by the RMC Research Corporation. Only seven out of more than 100 Blue Ribbon schools were picked for further study.
"If the children do well, that's my reward," Zimbler said. "You [recognize] what all the hard work does, and truly that the children are capable. Everyone is working together, and that includes the parents as well, because they believe in us."
Izzo was named Teacher of the Year June 19 by the New York State Education Department, lauded for her creativity and teaching style as well as the results she gets from her students. A teacher for 29 years, Izzo has been honored in recent weeks with a citation from County Executive Tom Suozzi and a state Senate resolution authored by Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).
The RMC researchers compiled a 10-page report on the school. They spoke to teachers, students and parents for two days in April to get a sense of what makes Herber tick. The document explains how the school attained Blue Ribbon status, and educators across the country have been logging on to view the report and get some tips. The document is available at www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2005/profiles/herber.pdf.
"I think the students and staff felt it made it concrete that we really won this award," Zimbler said of the report.
Zimbler has been Herber's principal for three years, and RMC found that he sets the tone for the school by example. He was praised for his warmth and emotional engagement with students and staff. He walks through the neighborhood to stay in touch, and is willing to make house calls to rouse tardy students.
He also observes every teacher at least once a year. Department heads observe their teachers twice a year, and non-tenured teachers get six or seven observations per year, creating an environment in which everyone gets feedback and is able to improve.
"Their support and guidance have made me the teacher I am," says one teacher in the report. The frequent observations and Zimbler's willingness to get into the classroom and act as a substitute teacher ‹ which he says he likes to do every two weeks ‹ were also praised for helping raise standards.
Zimbler said he has received calls from teachers around the country seeking advice for their own schools. Herber, the only middle school in Nassau County to receive a Blue Ribbon award, is now serving as a model for schools as far away as Arizona.
The attention will also help the school locally. Zimbler has given about 20 tours to potential middle schoolers since April, hoping the school's improving reputation will lure students who would have otherwise attended private schools. Some have already enrolled.
The Blue Ribbon Schools program was created by the U.S. Department of Education in 2001 as part of the No Child Left Behind Act. Zimbler and Assistant Principal Steven Gilhuley received the award at a November ceremony in Washington, D.C. The two-day event was also a conference, and Zimbler was invited to speak on a panel of four about middle school education.
Last year, Herber submitted an 18-page application to be considered for Blue Ribbon School status. It was an in-depth process that took weeks of looking at test score data and talking to individual teachers to complete. "I think it's absolutely a tribute to the staff and administration of the school to have even gone through the process, because it is very rigorous," said Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellen Freely.
One factor in obtaining Blue Ribbon Status was the students' New York State assessment exam scores. Those scores also contributed to Herber's New York state recognition award. At a recent ceremony in Brooklyn, Zimbler accepted the award for Herber¹s being a high-achieving, gap-closing school for the second year in a row. Four years ago, 68 percent of Herber eighth-graders passed state math tests, and 47 percent passed the English exams. In 2005, those numbers were up to 88 percent in math and 75 percent in English. Both figures are far above average.
"It really is an affirmation of the opportunities that exist at Herber," Freely said. "It says to people the programs here are very worthwhile and something to be proud of."
"It's been a great year," Zimbler said, although he added that he feels his work is far from done. In time, he wants to expand the number of children in honors classes, currently at 60 percent, to 100 percent.
"We believe all students should be able to take A.P. tests when [they get to] high school," he said, adding, "We still have more to achieve."
Marley Seaman contributed to this story. Comments about it? Mal-wheditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
