By Alex Davidson
Two veteran borough educators received awards from the New York State Lottery last week in recognition of their longtime efforts and unique teaching styles.
Carla Heckstall, a teacher at Franklin K. Lane High School in Woodhaven, and Carol Fulgieri, an educational assistant at PS 64Q in Ozone Park, were honored as educators of the week, a program recognizing educators who have a significant impact on their students, a lottery spokeswoman said.
Heckstall, the coordinator of a pilot Law Enforcement Academy at the Ozone Park school, was nominated by her supervisor for the award, she said. The 11-year veteran who lives in Fresh Meadows runs a pilot feeder program that aims to make students aware of the Police Department's activities and then guide them through job opportunities available within the agency.
“We do have a number of kids who are interested in law enforcement and who believe the program has helped them greatly,” Heckstall said. “I just really love dealing with kids.”
Franklin K. Lane is the only borough school that has the law academy that offers high school students classes in police science, criminology, criminal justice and forensics. Heckstall said it was her efforts in running the three-year program that got her nominated for the lottery award.
“I was undecided on whether I should be a teacher or a lawyer, so I decided to teach law,” Heckstall said.
Heckstall said she has created a good relationship with the community surrounding Franklin K. Lane that includes Brooklyn and Richmond Hill. She said there has been a very positive reception among students to the law program that is also run by John Jay College.
Fulgieri, a 20-year veteran at PS 64Q in Ozone Park, is an educational assistant who works with both regular and at-risk students at her elementary school. She said she has been teaching children reading and math skills in the school hallway for almost 17 years because she does not have a permanent classroom.
“I always have a good rapport with my students,” she said. “I could not think of myself as doing anything else.”
Fulgieri, 55, said her focus on keeping her number of students at a minimum has helped maximize the amount of individual attention she can give to the children at the elementary school. She said her groups of 10 to 12 students have consistently increased their performances on state standardized tests each year for the past 16 years, the most likely reason she was given the state award.
“The small groups seem to work unbelievably,” said Fulgieri, who has lived in Ozone Park for more than 40 years. “I love working with the children.”
The veteran teacher said she knew nothing about the lottery award until a representative from the state called her. Fulgieri said she was honored to get the award.
The New York Lottery recognized 32 educators last week from the New York region as part of its annual Educator of the Week television program aired on local television stations. Four other educators from Queens were honored with the award from Long Island City, Flushing, Jamaica and Corona.
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
