Many teachers come and go in Massapequa High School, but after thirty years at MHS, Spanish teacher Sandra DeRienzo will be missed greatly because she has spent all thirty years inspiring and educating Massapequa students.

Although teaching has been, for the most part, the only career Mrs. DeRienzo has sought after, she explains how it was a, “…camouflaged passion.”  Fortunately, she discovered her passion for teaching before taking on another career path.  She began teaching at private schools in Massachusetts, and later taught at community college for six years prior to her job at MHS.  She has discovered Massapequa High School to be an “adventure, with amazing people, and amazing students.”  

Mrs. DeRienzo loves to teach because she “…loved to see the enthusiasm of the kids who are excited about foreign language and culture,”  and she, “…wanted to instill in them the same love for learning languages that (she) experienced.”  Throughout her years of teaching, the most rewarding aspect for her has been the joy of seeing students advance in careers that are influenced by language.

One of the main lessons that Mrs. DeRienzo has learned from her time at MHS is that working as a team is difficult, and so is working with different types of people.  According to Mrs. DeRienzo, one of the most important things in life is to, “…learn to adapt.”  Another piece of advice she has, especially for graduating seniors, is to, “…work hard, stay focused, and don’t think for today, think for tomorrow.”

When thinking about her last thirty years at MHS, she reveals that technology has been difficult to keep up with and, in her opinion, has, in some ways, diverted teaching methods.  However, she still sees Massapequa School District as a very successful district, “…because we push the students to be the very best, and we know how important it is to be on the same page as the parents.”

 As retirement approaches, she recalls her fondest memories of her “…wonderful colleagues, who have been supportive and loving.”  However, she is also looking forward to her plans to, “Travel, travel, travel.”  In fact, she already has planned a vacation to Italy in July.  Along with traveling, she looks forward to her grandchildren, and “…doing what she wants, when she wants.”  One thing Massapequa is not looking forward to is losing a wonderful Spanish teacher.