In order to carry on the Stephen Gaynor School value to raise awareness of our local and global communities, each year Gaynor observes a Day of Service to support a global cause or a local community in need to teach students the importance of giving back. This year, we’ve initiated Gaynor Gives Back, a series of stories shared by members of our community that celebrates the many ways one can give back and the difference it can make not only in your life but in others. To kick off this initiative, we reached out to our wonderful alumni community to ask them how and why they continue to give back after leaving Gaynor.
Shosha Spivack ’01
I give back to the community by working as a co-lead teacher at Peartree Preschool in Manhattan. I have 13 children in my classroom from the ages 3 to 4. Although teaching during a pandemic is certainly not the ideal situation, I am just lucky that during this time I am able to continue to educate my young ones and have fun! I have also done some virtual teaching on days we have not been able to go to school in-person, which I never imagined would happen. I am doing the best I can to keep myself safe, and everyday I’m helping my students do the same.
Miles Liu ’10
As the son of immigrants, I felt obligated to give back and serve my country. Coming out of college the best way I thought I could give back was through joining the Marine Corps. As an infantry officer I am blessed to be able to work with, train, and mentor young men and women who also believe in being a part of something bigger than themselves. Many of these ideas of service actually began for me at Gaynor. I had the opportunity at 13 years old to participate in the Community Learning Center – tutoring children from neighboring public schools. To be given such a duty and responsibility at a young age allowed me to better understand how I could serve and have a positive impact on those around me.
Andrew Ferrante ’20
I do community service through Scouting as a fun activity and a way to give back to my community. For example, once a year I help clean up the local waterways by picking up garbage, and I participate in the annual Thanksgiving food drive. I am a Den Chief in the Boy Scouts, which means I help lead the younger Scouts. This year, I completed my Eagle Scout project, which was to build 10-15 nest boxes in the park near my house to help regrow the bird population. Through this project, I led a group of Scouts to build and install the nest boxes. By May, I was excited to see that almost all of the nest boxes had inhabitants. I have found if we all work together, small efforts can make a big difference in our community and our world.
Todd Feltman, Ph.D. ’86
I have been an educator for approximately 23 years. I am passionate about educating the whole child. I was fortunate to have memorable experiences as a student. Even though I only attended Stephen Gaynor School for two years, it helped me become a well-rounded pedagogue and school administrator. I give back to the community through teaching, coaching, and building relationships with my students. Every student has the power to make the world a better place. They need the right guidance, engagement, and motivation. I wrote an interactive handbook, Mentoring My Elementary and Middle School Students to Become Powerful Navigators of Success, to guide and support children and young adults. Several amazing organizations that I support include New Alternatives for Children (NAC) and Books N Bros. I also support the incredible work of Elijah Lee, a young adult child abuse awareness activist. Recently, incredible Elijah, 13 years old, virtually spoke to my Art of Effective Teaching graduate students at Hunter College. It was a memorable and positive experience for all. Giving back is an important value in my life.
Nick Kenner ’90
From late March through June of 2020, I decided to have Just Salad partner with Mount Sinai to deliver 10,000 meals per week. We donated over a million dollars’ worth of food to local New York City hospitals. Local hospitals wanted our help, and we wanted nothing more than to help our local healthcare heroes. The entire Just Salad company rallied around this decision — it gave us purpose in a time of confusion. Great companies make great decisions in critical times. The economic ramifications of this decision are little in the scheme of things, but the work we did during this time will live on in the soul of this company and the individuals that made this happen, forever. (Nick Kenner is the founder and CEO of Just Salad.)
J
ackson Potter ’09
The reason I give back and do everything I can to assist and help others is because I’ve been lent a helping hand so many times in life: whether at Gaynor in regard to my learning differences, UCLA while writing my thesis, or simply in my day-to-day by family, friends, and fellow New Yorkers. This holiday season I’m proud to have participated in a turkey meal giveaway at work where we were able to give out just over one thousand Thanksgiving meals to New Yorkers in need. Additionally, I’m preparing a toy and coat drive at work for those who may find themselves in need of a little assistance or support. At the end of the day, it’s important to do your part, because we live in an uncertain time, and you never know when you may need to turn to someone for help. Also, it feels good to help someone else out!
Daniela Marton ’12
Several years ago, I initiated my own community service project to aid rural schools in Uruguay, South America. As my mother was born and raised there, I have always had a strong connection to Uruguay and consider it my second home. Knowing that Uruguay is not only a country with impoverished communities but also faces difficulties educating children in rural areas, I knew I wanted to help. With spirited determination and motivation, I identified two small, underprivileged schools, which had limited educational resources. While speaking with the teachers at these schools, we determined they were most in need of microscopes, computers, clothes, and toys. Through extensive outreach and networking, and establishing fundraisers and donation centers, I was able to locate microscopes, computers, and many boxes of clothes and toys. The best part of the project was being able to hand-deliver the equipment to both schools and witnessing the grateful faces of the students, parents, and teachers. Community service has always been a strong passion of mine. Knowing that I’m able to make a small difference in a person’s life is an incredible concept that I recommend to all. Not only can your actions profoundly impact others, but I can say with confidence that they can also impact your own.
We are so incredibly lucky to have an alumni community that not only feels grateful to Gaynor, but also wants to support their broader community. We want to hear from more of you! If you’re doing work in your community, let us know how you’re giving back! Email Tia Murkison, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement.