Our Faculty and Staff . . .

All of Emanuel Lutheran School's teachers are certified in their area of instruction. Most hold Master's Degrees and have been teaching, on average, for 10 or more years. Teacher assistants are presently assigned in Nursery through Second Grade.

Our entire faculty and staff are dedicated to sharing their love for the Lord with parents and students. And, they are committed to working together with parents to provide a quality Christian education for the children in their care.

 

 

Mrs. Denise Norman - Principal - began her career as a dedicated Lutheran School Teacher while instructing sixth grade at Grace Lutheran School, Malverne, NY.  She completed her Master’s at Hofstra University with a Reading Specialist degree.

     She was thrilled to join Emanuel’s staff in 1996 as their Reading Teacher. Her responsibilities included Accelerated Reader/ Library Coordinator, Book Fair Chairperson, Honor School Coordinator, Author-Visit Coordinator, Speech Contest Coordinator, and Girl Scout Troop Organizer. Acknowledgements include Lutheran School Teacher of the Year and Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

     It is with much excitement that Denise accepted the position of Principal for this school year.  God has blessed the school with a wonderful, dedicated staff and delightful families. Seeking God’s guidance and will, Denise looks forward to leading this awesome team through a great school year!

     St. Luke Lutheran Church, Dix Hills, is where Denise, along with her husband, Rich, and daughters, Kirsten and Dana Lynn (both graduates of Emanuel Lutheran School) worship regularly.  Church activities include playing with the Adult Hand Bell Choir, helping to lead Women’s Bible Study, planning annual trips to the Women of Faith Conference, and a Co-coordinator of special events including Sights, Sounds and Smells of Christmas and the St. Luke Preschool Carnival.

     When Denise finds a free moment she enjoys spending time with her family, reading in the garden and lately, completing Sudoku puzzles.

     She is grateful to God for the many blessings found in her family, dear friends and at Emanuel Lutheran School.

 

 

 

Mrs. Haufe has been teaching at Emanuel since 1990. She attended Marymount Manhattan College for her undergraduate degree and went to Stonybrook University for her masters. Mrs. Haufe and her husband, Michael, have three sons, Michael, John, and Patrick. With her free time Mrs. Haufe enjoys reading, sewing, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Haufe was named Lutheran School Teacher of the year in 2005. She continues to stay current by attending workshops each year. In addition to teaching at Emanuel she runs the Bowling League for the students, leads the Student Council, and is on the PTFL board.

 

 

Mrs. LaSorsa is returning to Emanuel Lutheran School after a child care leave to teach science and religion in the Middle School.  In the past she has taught grades 4-7. Mrs. LaSorsa assisted in the planning and implementing of the Middle School. Mrs. LaSorsa coordinates the school yearbook each year.  In 2004 Mrs. LaSorsa was named the Lutheran Schools Association Rookie Teacher of the Year. In 2005 Mrs. LaSorsa received recognition from the Reading Specialist Council of Suffolk for her classroom motivational reading program. Mrs. LaSorsa received a Master’s Degree in Education from Hofstra University and a Bachelors Degree from Dowling College. Mrs. LaSorsa is also a published poet.   Mrs. LaSorsa currently lives in Holbrook with her husband and daughter.  Mrs. LaSorsa and her family worship regularly at Emanuel Lutheran Church.
 

 
Mrs. Shaddix has lived   on Long Island since 1981 and began teaching at Emanuel Lutheran School in 1995. Before moving to Long Island she was certified and taught in three other states. Mrs. Shaddix was born in Texas and received her Bachelor of Science Degree at McMurry University.

 She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Teaching Learning Disabled, at Virginia Tech. Mrs. Shaddix currently teaches 2nd Grade, and was named Lutheran School Association Teach of the Year for grades 4-8 in 2001.                                                                                                                         

Mrs. Shaddix and her husband, Edwin, have two daughters - Virginia, an Elementary Library Media Specialist, and Barbara, who works for the Dr. Pepper division of Cadbury Schweppes. Mrs. Shaddix's special interests include reading, outdoor activities and travel.

 

 

 

Dana Mullally I have been working now at Emanuel for 6 years. I received my Bachelor's Degree at SUNY New Paltz, in Elementary Education with a minor in Communication. Then I received my Master's Degree at Dowling College, in Special Education. I started out subbing in Emanuel, then moved on to teaching Resource and Art. Next I added Spanish to the list. I was blessed with own third grade classroom shortly after that. I have a wonderful husband, Sean, an amazing son, Liam, and two happy dogs. God is Good!

 

 

Kristine Houghtalen has been part of Emanuel’s family for 9 years now.  She began as a preschool aid while her son attended preschool in the classroom next door.  Already having a Bachelor’s degree in communications from S.U.N.Y. Geneseo, she decided to go back to school for her masters in Elementary Education at Dowling College.  After taking a year off for student teaching, she came back to Emanuel as a Preschool teacher for 2 years.  During that time she also took on the position of art teacher. 

The opportunity soon arose to become the fourth grade teacher, as well as to teaching art to kindergarten through 8th grade, which she continues to do today. 

     She and her husband and 2 sons are also actively involved in Boy Scout Troop 47 which meets here at Emanuel.  Being part of this school has truly been a blessing.
 
Tara Hein has been teaching at Emanuel Lutheran School for five years.  She currently teaches Pre-K two days a week.  She was a former student and is a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church.  Mrs. Hein attended Dowling College and received a BA in Elementary Education and a Masters in Special Education.  She lives with her husband Rob, whom she married 7 years ago in Emanuel Lutheran Church, her 3 year old son Gavin, who attends school here, and dog Elvis! 
 

Claudia Monroe
 BS in Physical Education from Adelphi University
MS in Education from Queens College
Permanent Certifications:  Pre K - 6 in Elementary Education and  K - 12 in Special Education

     My experience includes work as a Substitute teacher in the New York City Public Schools, Three Village and  Middle Country School Districts.  I have also worked as  a Pre K teacher in a Florida Christian school  and as a tutor in Egypt, during short term business relocations.  Currently I continue to  enjoy tutoring  elementary and high school students.  I am now  happy  to be a part of this school and play a role in the lives of your children.
    The hobbies I enjoy are gardening, biking and hiking with my husband and two sons.  We especially enjoy exploring new places to  hike from beach trails to cranberry bogs. Throughout the years we have seen some thrilling animals along the way - herons, egrets, armadillos, bear cubs and even a moose!  
 

 

Mr. Birnstein is our Kindergarten teacher and has been  a part of the Emanuel family since 2006. He holds a Bachelors of Music from Berklee College of Music and a Masters of Science in Education from Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus. Before coming to teach at Emanuel, Mr."B" was an assistant teacher working with Autistic pre-school children at Developmental Disabilities Institute in Huntington, NY. In his spare time he enjoys elementary age literature, music and camping with Mrs. "B".
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