Foundation Honoree: Joanne Silverman, Middle School Guidance Counselor

Guidance counselor at  Joanne Silverman is one of six school district staff members who  at the annual Foundation for Excellence in Yorktown Education fundraiser next week. She has worked at the district for seven and a half years.

In her nomination letter, Silverman is described as a "knowledgeable, enthusiastic, creative, dedicated and a highly resourceful school guidance counselor" who works cooperatively and collaboratively with the staff, students and school community.

For several years, Silverman has served as a co-advisor for the VIP/ Friends of Rachel Club. There are more than 60 students who are active members of this club. Each of the 935 students in the middle school has had the opportunity to participate in a variety of character building and acts of kindness activities that Silverman has planned and facilitated.

Patch caught up with Silverman to ask her about the honor she is receiving from the school district.

Patch: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Joanne Silverman: What I enjoy most about my job is being part of a team of educators, staff members and administrators who embrace the whole child. Their genuine support in our Bully Prevention Program (VIP Club) helps promote a healthy school environment, where good character is perceived as an essential lifelong skill, which is needed in the development of our present and future children.

Patch: What have been the highlights of your experience at the Yorktown schools?

Silverman: All my highlighted moments revolve around my students and their priceless actions. I have had the distinct opportunity to see my students evolve into active and exemplary citizens in our school community. It is rewarding to see them, take ownership of a monumental belief that good character begins with them.

Our students’ goal is to create a school culture that is positive to all. Our students’ believe that every act of kindness will lead to a chain reaction of kindness. They believe that every member in our school is equally important in creating a healthy school environment. They believe that every student has the ability to be kind. It is genuinely rewarding to see our students take initiative in creating a positive environment for themselves and their peers. They recognize that sometimes when they stand for something they may be standing alone. Above all they believe that character is what you do when others are not looking.

Another rewarding experience was when we had the privilege to collaborate with our sister school Longfellow Elementary, located in Mount Vernon. It was so inspirational to see how two schools with diverse cultures come together for a common cause. Their goal was and still is to make our world and school culture a better place by spreading acts of kindness. Whether it is a smile, a greeting, welcoming a new student, sitting next to someone in the cafeteria that has no friends, contributing to a cause or putting a stop to bullying.

In essence every experience in the Yorktown Central School district has been rewarding tome and could have never been possible, if not for my colleagues and program advisors, Lauren Simon, Lynne Golio, Theresa Murdock, Veronica Hildinger, VIP Club members and the Bully Prevention Committee. In addition, the vision could not have manifested itself if not for the support of MESMS staff members, Linda Grimm, Deirdre Amerling, Scott Shiland-Administration, Ralph Napolitano, Florence O’Connor, Central Administration, School Board members, PTA, F. Cecil Grace Foundation and above all the MESMS students who dared to dream.

Patch: Why do you think you were chosen as a representative from your school? What does the honor mean to you?

Silverman: I am honored and humbled at being recognized by the FFE and my administrators. However, I can honestly say that this recognition is not about me, rather the recognition of our schools’ and student’s countless dedication, to create a healthy compassionate environment for all.

Patch: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment at the district so far? What have you been a pioneer of?

Silverman: One of the biggest accomplishments is watching a program that started with an idea with great ideals evolve into our school culture.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m accepting this award on behalf of the VIP Club and my colleagues Lynne Golio, Theresa Murdock and Veronica Hildinger. In addition I would like to thank the MESMS staff members, Linda Grimm, Deirdre Amerling, Scott Shiland, Ralph Napolitano, Florence O’Connor, Central Administration, School Board members, PTA, F. Cecil Grace Foundation and above all the MESMS students for supporting our vision of having an environment that promotes compassion to all.

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