Carmella’s inspiration to become a special education teacher began with her cousin, Mary, who came from Italy and had an intellectual disability. She loved “playing school” with Mary, and practicing vocabulary words together. Those moments filled Carmella’s heart and sparked her passion for teaching. That childhood dream became a lifelong passion that Carmella has been fortunate enough to turn into a career devoted to education and service.

Carmella graduated from William Floyd High School in 1989. During high school, she worked at Just Kids Learning Center, where she first began her career in special education. Carmella started as a teacher assistant and then became an early childhood teacher before pursuing her true calling as a special education teacher.

Carmella earned her master’s degree in special education from Dowling College, which further strengthened her dedication to supporting students with diverse needs. In 2002, she was overjoyed to start teaching in the same district where she had once walked the halls as a student. Coming back home to give back to her community felt like a dream come true, and now she takes great pride in helping special education students in the very place that helped shape her.

Carmella’s career expanded beyond the classroom when she became a transition coordinator for a vocational rehabilitation agency, serving several school districts across Long Island. In this role, she provided community-based placements for students with special needs as they moved toward adulthood. She created pathways to training programs, colleges, and competitive employment while ensuring students receive the services and support necessary to succeed.

Carmella also co-coordinated the Enrichment program for the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. Together with her local library and Stephanie Kyle, the teen librarian, they developed two enrichment programs: one serving students in middle school and high school and another supporting people post-graduation. These programs were designed to help special education students continue to grow, connect, and thrive in their communities. It also allowed students to remain in touch with Carmella after graduation.

Today, Carmella proudly serves as a special education teacher at William Floyd, where she has discovered not only the joy of teaching but also the resilience and strength that comes from working alongside a team of dedicated educators and administrators. Carmella’s students are at the heart of everything she does. No matter the challenges, she keeps going, inspired by their growth, perseverance, and potential.

Additionally, serving as a board member for Colonial Youth and Family Services from 2018-2023 further enriched her educational career, allowing her to play a key role in developing programs to support the diverse needs of at-risk youth.

Beyond the classroom, Carmella is a graduate professor, an early intervention specialist, a SEIT/SEIS teacher, an evaluator, and a parent trainer through Suffolk County. Each of these roles allow her to support learners at every stage of development – from the youngest children to future educators. She is deeply passionate about enrichment programs within the community, especially through collaborations with the library and librarians, where she sees endless opportunities to connect families, resources, and education.

“Teaching is not just my career,” Carmella said. “It is my life’s calling, and every day I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students I serve. It is an honor to be recognized as an Outstanding Educator. Thank you to the Alumni Association. This award also goes to the incredible families and students I am privileged to work with every day.”