The following information was provided to the North Shore School District by the candidates.
Joanna Commander
Occupation: Over the course of my professional career, I have held a number of different positions both in public schools and on the collegiate level. I was a physical education and health teacher at Elmont High School where I coached various varsity level teams. Subsequently, I became the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Lynbrook Schools. I completed my public school service in the same position for the Harborfields School District. I then became an adjunct professor at Adelphi in the School of Education. In addition, I was the Coordinator of Student Teaching for the Department of Health Services and Kinesiology at Hofstra University. Currently, I am fully retired but dedicated to offering my expertise as a volunteer to serve our community. Qualifications: My professional and personal commitment has been to ensure every student the opportunity to maximize their potential as well rounded individuals in a safe and nurturing environment. As a result, I have implemented a wide range of policies and programs directed to health and wellness of the thousands of children in my charge. I was the first to initiate a Life Skills Training Program into health education curricula addressing the development of decision-making, coping, negotiation and personal responsibility skills. I was among the first in the county to utilize a drug use/abuse survey in our high school that resulted in the formation of a coalition representing all leaders in the community. I was one of the founding members of a state committee addressing the Female Athlete Triad, a syndrome resulting from disordered eating. I have held numerous leadership positions at local and state levels including serving as President of the Athletic Association, Vice President for Female Sports for the Nassau County Athletic Association and served as a member on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Handbook Committee. This committee is responsible for developing all regulations affecting high school athletes. I was the Chair of the Suffolk County Athletic Committee Appeals Committee that arbitrated issues concerning student athletes eligibility. A major responsibility as the Athletics Director was the fiscal management of a large detailed budget. Personal: I have been a resident of Glen Head for 8 years. I am a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Master of Arts degree from Adelphi University, and received my Administrative Certification from St. Johns University. I am presently a member of the North Shore Booster Club and the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. Statement: “I am a woman who is deeply committed to our community, to the excellence and sustainability of our schools. I believe that I have the professional background and skill set to bring our community together while honoring our most prized resource, our children. I will work tirelessly to maintain the excellent reputation of the North Shore Schools while working diligently to meet the fiscal challenges that we as a community face.” |
Lara Gonzalez
Occupation: I have been a grades K-12 school leader for the past five years. I am currently Supervisor for Social Studies and Career & Technical Education in the Oyster Bay - East Norwich Central School District. Prior to becoming a school administrator, I taught secondary social studies in Great Neck and in New York City. Qualifications: I received my Bachelors degree in Political Science in 1991 from the University of California, Berkeley, a Masters in 1994 from the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters in Educational Leadership in 2007 from Teachers College Columbia University. I have almost two decades of work experience in a variety of public school systems. Personal: Raised in San Diego, I moved to New York in 1996 and to Sea Cliff in 2001. My husband John and I have three children – a son in tenth grade at North Shore High School, a daughter in fifth grade and a daughter in kindergarten at Sea Cliff Elementary. Next school year, we will have a child at each level in North Shore Schools- elementary, middle and high school. Statement: "My husband and I chose the North Shore community because of the quality of life it offers and the reputation of the North Shore School District. Our three children have thrived in their respective schools and have taken full advantage of the academic, artistic, athletic, and extracurricular offerings available to them. Last year’s School Board election revealed deep philosophical differences within our community about how to continue to offer the best possible education for our young people in the face of serious fiscal challenges posed by the decommissioning of the Glenwood Landing LIPA plant and the potential shift of the tax burden from the utility to the taxpayer. While the state legislature has provided some relief, there are still many unanswered questions. We are at a critical juncture. With nearly two decades as an accomplished school leader and teacher, I have a lot to offer as Trustee. As a school administrator, I have a track record of effectively working with all stakeholders - students, parents, staff, administration, and community members. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to benefit the North Shore community and to engage in meaningful dialogue with all constituent groups to provide a world class education for our children and grandchildren at a price that we can afford.” |
Robert Mazzella
Occupation: Senior Marketing Director for an international Marketing company with 23 years of experience managing the multi-million dollar budgets of several of the firm's largest profit centers, developing and effectively communicating Marketing strategies, and analyzing performance statistics to make sound business decisions. Other experience includes three years as an external auditor for a top Certified Public Accounting firm and two years as an Associate Accounting Instructor at Indiana University. Qualifications: I am currently serving as the President of the Property Owners' Association of North Shore Acres (Civic Association) and am an active member of the Glen Head - Glenwood Civic Council. For the past two and half years, I have been actively participating in Civic Council meetings with local legislators, community members, and National Grid executives in an attempt to help improve our community. In addition, I am currently a member of the Superintendent Advisory Council, a previous member of the most recent North Shore School District Bond Committee, and regularly attend Board of Education meetings. Received C.P.A. license in December 1989 (currently inactive). Personal: I have been a Glen Head resident since 2003. My wife, Joanie Alvarez Mazzella, has been teaching Global History and Geography at Garden City High School for 22 years. I am the father of two children at Glenwood Landing Elementary School, both of whom are active in the arts. I received an M.B.A. from Indiana University, attended the Washington Campus Program at Georgetown University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting from St. Francis College. Statement: “It is imperative that the children of the North Shore School District continue to receive a top quality education with access to first rate extra-curricular activities such as the many sports, arts, and academic programs that are available to our students (in as fiscally responsible a manner as possible). I believe that I can be an effective and passionate advocate for all segments of our community, including our children, parents, local businesses, senior citizens, and teachers. I am confident that my academic, business, and leadership skills, coupled with a tireless work ethic, will be an asset to our community. As a member of the Board of Education and local Civic Associations, I will be in a unique position to assist with ongoing efforts to identify tax saving initiatives in an attempt to mitigate the impact that the closing of the Glenwood Landing Power Plant will have on the tax rates of district residents. In short, I believe my creative problem-solving skills, strong analytical background, and experience working with the local civic associations makes me an ideal candidate for the Board of Education.” |
