Commack English Teacher Named Educator of the Month

Commack High School English teacher Phillip Cicione was named a 2011-12 Dowling College/News 12 Educator of the Month, and his students showed their support in a special classroom ceremony.

Cicione's International Baccalaureate students surprised Cicione by wearing t-shirts that pictured the teacher wearing a chef's hat and waving a spatula. The students revealed the shirts at the same time and appluaded their teacher.

"This has been a truly unexpected honor," Cicione said. "It is one thing to believe that you are doing a good job, it is another to realize that others feel the that you are too. I cannot put words to the way I feel. I am humbled."

Principal Catherine Nolan called Cicione an "expert in matters of the mind, but also in matters of the heart. His bottomless compassion and commitment to students, his strong ethics, and his active pursuit of excellence and learning makes Phil a driving positive influence in our Commack community," she said.

Cicione was also honored by Clyde Paine, Dean of the School of Education at Dowling College.