Former St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) students who now work in education had the opportunity to impart wisdom on a new generation of aspiring professionals at this year’s Alumni Educators Conference.
Held on Feb. 19, the event was organized by the Office of Alumni Engagement.
“Our goal for this event is to provide students with valuable insights and guidance to help them prepare for their future careers as educators,” said Madeline Prunty, assistant director of alumni engagement at the University.
During the first hour, students spoke with accomplished teachers from across Long Island, ranging from the elementary school level to high school.
“We’re excited to welcome back alumni who have been in their shoes and are generously volunteering their time to share their experiences. Their involvement is instrumental in helping our students feel more confident and prepared as they move forward in their educational journeys,” Prunty continued.
The teachers, all of whom are alumni of SJNY, offered advice on educating specific grades and what helped them succeed, while delving into their own experiences pursuing a career in education. The alumni did not mince words as they were honest with students about various aspects of the job, what to expect and what would be expected of them.
Much like speed dating, each student had 20 minutes to pick their designated teacher’s brain before the timer reset and they were seated opposite another educator.
Long Island Math teacher and SJNY alumnus Glenn Kubik ’99 opened the event with a keynote on student engagement.
The conference opened with a short keynote address by alumnus Glen Kubik ’99, an East Northport math teacher with more than 25 years of experience in the field. Kubik was one of the distinguished alumni honored during SJNY’s fourth annual Esse Non Videri Gala Awards Dinner in 2024.
He spoke about finding a way to establish a connection with students. For Kubik, it is his love of hockey (more specifically, the New York Islanders). He implored aspiring teachers at the conference to share who they are with their students.
The afternoon featured a panel session of administrators, moderated by Paul DeSimone, M.S.Ed, a middle principal school and adjunct professor at SJNY.
The panel offered advice on crafting an effective resume, what and what not to do during an interview and how to stand out in today’s job market.
Alumni Administrators Panel (left to right): Paul Desimone ’10 ’12, Jerry Owenburg ’97 and Diane Fox ’08
“Learn the culture of the school district you’re applying to,” advised panelist Diane Fox, director of bilingual and alternative education for the Hampton Bays School District. “Ask yourself what you are going to bring to that school if offered the position.”
Another major talking point was technology’s role in modern teaching, specifically artificial intelligence (AI). The three panelists agreed that AI should be embraced as opposed to being feared.
