Congratulations to Maplewood’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Anissa Rasdall! Ms. Rasdall has been teaching fifth grade at Maplewood since 2001. She first became part of the South Huntington family in 2000 when she was a student teacher at Birchwood and Countrywood. As a longtime ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) teacher in an integrated classroom, she is praised for her ability to work with her teaching partner to allow their students to shine and build their academic and social confidence. As a colleague, she is known as a generous and knowledgeable mentor. ICT classes are taught by two teachers, one general education or subject area teacher and one special education teacher. Maplewood principal Maria Colon calls Ms. Rasdall “seasoned in being a supportive educator. She is able to guide students to make positive choices, and when they struggle from time to time, she engages students in caring conversations to think about the choice they made, how it made others feel, and what other options they had.” 

Ms. Rasdall has always considered herself to be a nurturer, so being a teacher was a logical career choice. But it became more evident to her after she chaperoned a first grade field trip. “As I watched the children’s curiosity and eagerness to learn during the trip, I found myself deeply interested in supporting them. The sense of responsibility I felt and the impact I could make on their experience sparked something in me. That moment made me realize I wanted to become an elementary teacher who could foster a love of learning and support children's growth on a deeper level,” said Ms. Rasdall.

Her first academic degree was a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. But she switched gears and received her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Long Island University. Ms. Rasdall holds permanent New York State certification in Elementary Education (Grades K-6).

Colleagues say Ms. Rasdall has mastered building relationships with students, families and the community, and she is well-known for the strong and long-lasting bonds she has made with many of her students well after their time at Maplewood. She believes that school goes far beyond academics and the walls of the classroom. Her students have taught her the importance of connecting with families outside of school which has given her a deeper understanding of their lives, values and cultures. “When I get the opportunity to celebrate milestones like Sweet Sixteen parties, graduations, Quinceañeras, bar mitzvahs, or simply meeting up for lunch or dinner, I’m reminded of just how meaningful these relationships are—not only to the students but to me as well,” said Ms. Rasdall. One parent called Ms. Rasdall not just a teacher of the year but “teacher of a lifetime.”

For this expert educator, the honor of being named Maplewood’s Teacher of the Year affirms for her that she has positively impacted her students and their families. But it also recognizes the collective effort of her whole school. “It reflects the collaborative spirit of my colleagues, the trust and encouragement of my administrators, and the partnerships I’ve built with families,” said Ms. Rasdall. “It’s a reminder that teaching requires teamwork and support from everyone involved.”

Maplewood principal, Maria Colon (left), and assistant principal, Stephanie Villanueva (right), join in congratulating their intermediate school’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.