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Schools

For the Love of Math

A personal profile of Carol Pitkewicz, recent winner of the Dowling College and News 12 Educator of the Month Award.

She was a petite middle-aged woman with tiny features sporting a festive holiday sweater. She sat behind a desk so big it almost engulfed her small frame. Her bright smile dipped from ear to ear, as students flocked around her desk like hawks inquiring about their test grades.

"Kids: You can't live with them and you can't live without them," the woman said.

"Aw, well you can live with me, Mrs. P!" joked one boy.

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Second quarter grades were just about due for mathematics teacher Carol Pitkewicz as students bombarded her with questions concerning their current academic status. Most people would be annoyed with the endless supply of questions, but 20-year teaching veteran Pitkewicz was in her glory and never stopped smiling. There's no question why .

Pitkewicz always wanted to be a teacher. "I thought about teaching French for awhile, but math became my passion," she said. "I thought that I could help more kids and I hoped that I could pass on my love of the subject to them."

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After a no-frills childhood in Brooklyn during its glory days, Pitkewicz began her teaching career at Hunter College in Manhattan. Unfortunately in 1972, there were hardly any teaching jobs available, not unlike today. Pitkewicz left Hunter College and started working in a computer department at a large bank in Manhattan.

"I was hired with no background in computers, but in those days, not many had computer experience.  I learned fast and rapidly moved up to a supervisory position."

While employed at the bank, Pitkewicz married her now husband of 35 years. She left the bank shortly after to have children. When her youngest son was a year old in 1986, she went back to school. Pitkewicz received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Stony Brook University with a minor in secondary education. She also followed up with her master's degree at Stony Brook.

Her first two teaching gigs were as a short leave replacement at Patchogue-Medford High School and Connetquot High School. In 1992, Pitkewicz came to Bayport-Blue Point High School, making this her 19th year. "I love Bayport," she said. "The kids are great and the parents always give the teachers plenty of support.  The administration at BBPHS has always been good to me and the faculty and staff are the best!  I wouldn't trade my time at Bayport for anything else."

On Dec. 6, 2010, Pitkewicz was awarded Dowling College and News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. She was nominated by Bayport-Blue Point district administrators and selected by a distinguished committee of educators for "going above and beyond the call of duty in her role as a teacher and making a difference in the lives of her students," according to the high school website.

In previous years, Pitkewicz was a finalist for the Suffolk County Math Teachers' Association Award for Outstanding Math Teacher of the Year. She was also recognized by one of her students in a school ceremony called "Recognition of Excellence."

Though he did not work in Bayport for most of her career, Bayport-Blue Point High School principal Dr. Timothy Hearney said he knows Pitkewicz very well only after three years and is not surprised she was awarded this honor. "Carol has been a tremendous asset to me, especially when I was new to Bayport-Blue Point High School," he said.

Hearney said Pitkewicz has a thorough knowledge of math and because of her extraordinary verbal abilities she is able to present topics to students in a motivating and interesting manner.

"Carol's creative imagination, coupled with her physical energy enable her to be successful regardless of the situation," he explained. "As a classroom teacher, Carol is innovative and continually looks to improve her skills."

Pitkewicz not only teaches math, she is also the advisor for the student council, Habitat for Humanity and Mathletes and the Homecoming committee chairwoman. Recently, Pitkewicz helped the student council organize its annualfor the John J. Foley Nursing Facility in Yaphank, NY. Hundreds of presents were collected for people that are unable to take care of themselves and just need simple conveniences like hats or gloves.

Senior student council president Alexandra Harenberg said Pitkewicz deserves the honor of being Long Island Educator of the Month because she does a lot for the school. "Everything she does is done to perfection," Harenberg said.  "She takes all of her responsibilities extremely seriously and never lets up on even the smallest tasks.  Above all, Mrs. Pitkewicz is an excellent teacher.  She is engaging, caring, and dedicated.  She loves what she does, and because of her I have grown to love math as well."

A teacher like Pitkewicz is not easily forgotten. Amanda Olsen, a former BBPHS student more than eight years ago, still remembers her enriched math class with Pitkewicz. "I remember racking my brain in that class, but Mrs. Pitkewicz was always willing to help and re-explain things with a smile on her face."

Pitkewicz said she is extremely honored for receiving the award and she is extremely happy with her career choice.

She said she likes to take on challenges and positively influence students who hate math. Pitkewicz recalled her favorite memory of this:

"A student in my 11th grade class refused to do any work. No homework, no class work, nothing!  She wouldn't even sit at the desk that I assigned her.  I didn't want to argue with her because, from my experience, that doesn't work.  I decided to just keep trying.  I tried for months but she kept failing.  Finally, our school was presenting the play "The Sound of Music" in March and this girl had the part of Mother Superior.  She sang "Climb Every Mountain" like a nightingale and I was moved to tears.  That Monday, when I checked her homework and she hadn't done it, I told her it was OK because with a voice like hers, she didn't need math.  She couldn't believe her ears. She immediately moved her seat, started coming for extra-help, passed the course and the Regents exam in June!"

Though Pitkewicz will miss her job as a teacher, she plans to retire in June of 2015 to spend time with her family and travel.

"I know I will miss teaching so much.  Just thinking of leaving brings tears to my eyes, but all good things must eventually come to an end.  I don't think anyone would appreciate having an 82-year-old math teacher!" she said, in true Pitkewicz fashion, with a smile on her face.

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