BEST TEACHER
Kathleen Harrigan
For teachers like Kathleen Harrigan, educating young minds isn’t a job, it’s a calling. Harrigan has been teaching at Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) for 24 years. She began at OLM teaching third grade for two years, then moved up to the fifth grade, which she has taught for 21 years, and loves every minute. She began the After School Program that has been up and running for 11 years. Ms. Harrigan is an institution at Our Lady of Mercy, and helps bring out the best in every student who walks through her classroom door. Our Lady of Mercy, 520 South Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville, 516-433-7040, olmshicks.org
BEST PRINCIPAL
Dr. Daniel Vitow
Dr. Daniel J. Vitow has been the Headmaster at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School since its planning stage in 2000. The development of the school is a direct result of his vision for Jewish education based upon more than 40 years of stewardship leading various yeshivas. North Shore Hebrew Academy HS, 400 North Service Road, Great Neck, 516-487-2424, nshahs.org
BEST COLLEGE PRESIDENT
Christine M. Riordan
One of Long Island’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning is led by one of the best minds on the island and a true trailblazer. Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D., is the first woman to serve as president of Adelphi University. She is an internationally recognized expert in leadership development, team building, and diversity and inclusion, and is recognized for her ground-breaking initiatives to personalize and transform the higher education experience. Since beginning her appointment as Adelphi’s 10th president in 2015, she has launched a remarkable turnaround strategy that has led to a boost in enrollment, increased fundraising, greater recognition and new strategies to promote student success and diversity and inclusion. In the fall of 2016, 2017, and 2018, Adelphi enrolled the largest first-year classes in its history. Adelphi University 1 South Avenue, Garden City, 516-877-3000, adelphi.edu
BEST COLLEGE SPORTS COACH
Pat McCabe
Pat McCabe has what it takes to mold young minds and guide them to success. He was announced as the fourth head coach of the women’s lacrosse program at Adelphi University on Sept. 4, 2014, and enters his fifth season at the helm in 2019. In his four years at the helm, McCabe has guided the Panthers in their championship tradition, adding two NCAA Division II national crowns to the team’s resume while reaching the national championship game in his first three years. The squad has also won three Northeast-10 Championships, running the team’s total to seven in nine seasons. Hooray Pat, and hooray Adelphi! Adelphi University, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, adelphi.edu
BEST HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS COACH
John Calabria
John Calabria began his lacrosse playing career at Sachem High School where he achieved All-County Honors playing attack. From there he received a full athletic scholarship for lacrosse to attend Adelphi University where he was awarded All-American Honors, helping Adelphi win the Division II College National Championship in 1993 and also awarded Team MVP. Coach Calabria is a Social Studies teacher at Syosset High School, which gives him a good perspective of the young student-athlete’s ability to understand and internalize all phases of the game. He has coached and played lacrosse at both the high school and college levels. Coach Calabria stated he has always looked for the following things from his coaches: love of the game, high lacrosse IQ, strong work ethic, and professional mannerisms with an understanding that as a coach, you must value the whole experience that players are experiencing, in the classroom and on the field. Syosset High School, 70 S. Woods Road, Syosset, 516-364-5675, syossetschools.org
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES
Nominate your favorite businesses and people in the 2020 Bethpage Best of Long Island program through Aug. 31.
Step 1: Visit bestoflongisland.com
Step 2: Click “Nominate Now”
Step 3: Select a category and enter the information about the person or business you with to nominate
Step 4: Click “Submit”
Step 5: Repeat for all of your favorite people and businesses
To find all the other 2019 Bethpage Best of Long Island contest winners, visit bestoflongisland.com
