Ms. Brand

When did you want to start doing your job? Why?

Before becoming a librarian I was a high school English teacher for 11 years. Unfortunately the school where I was working  was getting smaller, and they did not need as many teachers. I knew that I had to find another job. The reason I became an English teacher was my love for writing and reading, so I wanted to find another job where I could still pursue that passion. I quickly realized librarian was the perfect job for me because I could still help students and learn about so many more books.

How long does it take to put the books away at the start of a new year?

We do not put books away in the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, we collect all the books back, so we can take an inventory. Inventory is when we count all the books to make sure none are missing. It is also the time that I make sure the books are in good condition. Any books that are falling apart or too old, I remove from the shelves and order new ones. This whole process takes a while. Between myself and my two aides, we usually get it done in a week.

 Where did you come up with the online databases?

I would love to say I invented online databases because they are amazing! However, online databases have been in existence for years and years. I even used them when I was a kid! I do get to choose the databases for the Harbor school though. I try to pick databases that are user-friendly and on a kid level. My favorite is kids infobits because it has many options and definitely helps students find information easily. I try to pick databases the teachers can use to help in the classroom such as trueflix and bookflix.

Do you remember every student's name?

My honest answer? Most of the names, yes, I do remember. It is hard because I only see each student once a week and there are almost 600 students at the Harbor. Usually I remember names better as a whole class. For instance, I know you are in Mr. T's class and I know who else is in it. However, sometimes when I see a student in the hallway at the beginning of the year I know the name but can't think of it because I cannot make the class connection. It also gets easier when the students get older because I have known them for longer. I know the names of the fifth graders better than the kindergartners because I have been working with them for five years. Sometimes I call students by their sibling's name too because I try to make family connections. 

                                     Mrs. Donnelly

When did you want to start doing your job?

I was always making things and creating art when I was younger.   I often played “school” with my friends and even started a little greeting card company when I was 8.  I would sell them to my family and friends.  In high school, I took every art class they offered.  I love learning, love working with kids and love art.  So being an art teacher is the perfect job for me!

 When we had the old art program, how did you choose our projects?

Great question!  I would base the projects around things I wanted each grade to learn about, like color groups, or using a certain material, or a certain artist.  Pinterest is also a great resource and of course I would get ideas from friends of mine who are art teachers.  I would also listen to what students were interested in and try to plan things they would be excited about.

Why did you choose to switch our art program? 

Although I love teaching about artists and specific art things, I think it's more important for kids to learn to be artists themselves, not just follow an “art recipe” that a teacher tells them to do or do the same thing that all of their classmates are doing.  This new way of art gives kids the power to use the art room like it's their own studio, explore different materials, create things that are important, exciting and meaningful to them personally.  Kids get to develop their own artistic style and inspire and teach each other about things that they have discovered.  It has been so exciting to me to see how everyone is really rising to the challenge and doing what artists do.

Would you ever consider doing an art show in school instead of at nighttime?

I love that idea and did have the art festival pieces on display in the lobby last year.  The reason why the art festival is at night every year is because it displays work from all the schools throughout the district.  I would love to have the artwork up in the Harbor for longer so classes can come together and look at all the work.

                                                          Mrs. Brinkman

When did you start teaching?

I started teaching right after I graduated from college.  I started teaching in Seaford in 2016.

Why did you choose Yee-Haw for the third grade drama club?

I chose the Yee-Haw production because it was age appropriate; not too hard or too easy for third grade.  I also thought the theme was super cute!  I imagined all the third graders in flannels and cowboy boots.  It was also inclusive so that many kids could have speaking, singing, and dancing parts.

Where did you get the fifth grade drumming song?

I found the fifth grade drumming song at a workshop about five years ago.  I went to an all day music workshop for music teachers.  This particular workshop was all about world drumming.  I also learned many other songs and games that day; songs and games for kindergarten through fifth grade.  I learned a lot but especially loved the drumming song he presented.  I imagined my students playing it and enjoying it very much.

What did last year's Bonus Star Chart winners pick?

Last year's Bonus Star Chart winners chose to play Kahoot during their "bonus Music class."

                                                           Mrs. Mooney

When did you decide to become a teacher?

I wanted to become a physical education teacher when I was in my second year of college.  I thought I wanted to go into marketing but it was not for me.  I switched to become a social studies teacher.  It was interesting but too much talking.  When my classes were done, I would always go to the gym.  It's my happy place.  I was always a part of a team and I started coaching when I was in high school.  I enjoy working with kids.

How do you chose the games we play?

We try to choose games that are fun and challenging.

How do you chose teams?

It depends on the unit how we chose teams.

                                                              Mr. Corcoran

How did you decide to be a teacher?

I always had in my mind to be a teacher and coach but it took me awhile to begin that career.  When I graduated from college, I started working in Finance as an Operations Support person, Manager of Operations, Institutional Mortgage Broker and then a Trader.  In 2002, they closed my desk and I found myself at a crossroads in my career.  That summer I ran into an old coach of mine and decided to coach football at Seaford H.S. that fall and see how I liked it.  I quickly realized that I wanted to be a teacher and coach.  I went back to school and earned my Master’s degree in Physical Education and was lucky to be hired by Seaford as a P.E. teacher.  I chose P.E. because I always loved sports and being active and wanted to help young people as so many others helped me when I was young.

How do you chose the games we play?

In the Harbor School, I am still learning a lot from Mrs. Mooney because she has so much experience here, but we always talk about trying new things and making your classes as fun and exciting as possible.  In the high school where I worked previously, I started Ultimate Frisbee, Core Workouts, Weight Room Workouts, dynamic warm-ups and help start new after school tournaments.

How do you chose teams?

Choosing teams depends on the activities and the classes in the gym at that time.  As you know, many times you have P.E. with different classes. We try to make fair teams where you are also with your friends.  We do our best to make your experience with us a fun one.  We want to expose you all to as many activities as we can in the hope that you find some that you enjoy and try outside of school.  It is very important to lead a healthy and active life.