Congratulations to South Huntington School District Teacher of the Year and Stimson Middle School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Eileen Damato!  Ms. Damato has been an educator here in South Huntington since 2003. In her 22 years with us, Ms. Damato has brought her skills to wherever the district needed her. First, as a K-6 substitute, then as a leave replacement teacher at Birchwood. 2007 brought her to Silas Wood as a part-time ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) teacher. Since 2009, she’s found a home at Stimson as an ICT teacher in English and Social Studies. ICT classes are taught by two teachers, one general education or subject area teacher and one special education teacher. The teachers collaborate to adapt instruction so all students, including those with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), can successfully learn the grade-level curriculum. Stimson principal Michael Duggan called Ms. Damato “an exemplary special education teacher…who has profoundly impacted countless lives.”

Ms. Damato’s colleagues praise her “dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment” to her students. Her students love her “calm but bubbly personality,” and they appreciate that she makes them feel good about what they achieve, in turn, helping them feel good about themselves.  And it’s common knowledge that if anyone is having a bad day, “they can go to hear a ‘Damato Story’ and leave laughing.”

 
With a recognized passion for teaching, you may be surprised to learn that becoming an educator was not Ms. Damato’s first career choice. She started out in corporate America in New York City enjoying the excitement of working in the Big Apple in areas including Public Relations and Human Resource Management. Her life changed the day she spoke to a group of students during a “Take Your Daughters to Work Day” event at her company. She felt the previous speakers were losing the students’ interest so she changed gears and asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. They became excited to share their ideas and the whole group became more interactive.  

“There was one girl, Lauren, who was particularly interested in learning about what my role was and we bonded,” explained Ms. Damato. “Her mom told me she had some tough circumstances in her life at that time but she was able to have a great time that day sharing ideas and learning about my position in the company.” Ms. Damato and Lauren stayed in touch, and for years, Lauren sent her letters about all the things that were going on in her life. “Although I loved the Human Resources profession, I knew that day that I needed to be elsewhere. There is nothing better than this - having a career where every minute of every day is filled with having the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child,” said Ms. Damato.

Changing careers meant going back to school to add to her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Management.  Ms. Damato received her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Queens College in 1999. She has teaching certifications in Early Childhood 1 to 6, Birth to Second Grade Special Education, Students with Disabilities 1 to 6, and Generalist 5 to 9.

While she’s known for giving her all to her students, Ms. Damato says they give right back to her.  She shared a story about one middle school student who was often getting into trouble. But she says they always showed each other respect. “One day he found out I was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. He went out of his way to find me to tell me that if I ever lose my hair, he would be happy to give me his. This was the best feeling of compassion I ever felt.  I learned the true meaning of sincerity, compassion and respect that day from him,” said Ms. Damato.   

This highly-regarded teacher has high praise for her fellow educators in South Huntington. Her two children were educated in the district and she said her children had “the very best of the best.”  She loves Spirit Week clothing days, so look for her in pajamas, sports t-shirts, dressed up on Halloween, and wearing the “maroon and white” school colors on Fridays.

Ms. Damato says being named the District’s and Stimson’s Teacher of the Year means the world to her.  She realizes a big part of that comes from her success in teaching curriculum, but she’s a big believer in being a role model for her students and colleagues in kindness, patience, flexibility and respect. “It means so much to me as I now see people do recognize those qualities as being of the utmost importance. I adore the students and they see that I am sincere in wanting what is best for them.” said Ms. Damato.

Stimson principal Mike Duggan (left) and assistant principal Beth Keating (right) join in congratulating the middle school’s and the district’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.