Heather Rand is the kind of teacher who goes the extra mile for her students — even after they’ve graduated from her sixth-grade classroom.
Rand, 49, co-teaches a class of English as a New Language students at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station, in the Comsewogue School District.
The students come from around the globe, mostly from Central America, and Spanish is the first language for many.
Rand’s co-teacher, Natalie Rubenstein, said Rand’s goal is for students to find joy in being able to speak two languages.
“She’s constantly reminding them to be proud of who they are and to share that with the world,” said Rubenstein, 35.
Rand also shares her love of sports with them. She played varsity field hockey at Rocky Point High School and was on the varsity tennis team at LIU Post in Brookville. Though JFK’s students aren’t eligible to sign up for sports teams until seventh grade, Rand has made it her mission to help former students sign up for the middle school’s teams.
She spends hours of her own time assisting students and their parents in completing the necessary paperwork, and has even bought athletic shoes for students whose parents can’t afford them.
Sports can help students improve their English skills and “builds confidence, physical strength, camaraderie and connections with other students,” Rand said.
Rand also runs the Future Teachers Club at JFK, where she helped organize a book collection drive and start an herb and vegetable garden.
“She’s known throughout the building as someone who’s always willing to help,” Rubenstein said.
Rand’s connection to her students endures when they move up in grade. Many continue to go to her for advice, and some have invited Rand to their high school graduation.
Rand is in her 29th year of teaching and has spent her entire career at JFK, where colleagues say she is well-respected among fellow teachers and the administration.
“She’s just an all-around team player who makes all of us better,” said Amanda Prinz, 44, JFK’s principal. “It’s all about the kids. It’s never about her.”
Rubenstein recalled that her fellow teachers told her she “hit the jackpot” when she learned nine years ago that she would be paired with Rand, and she said the more experienced Rand welcomed her ideas from the beginning.
“She was open, flexible and supportive from Day 1,” Rubenstein said. “Working with her has made me a better person and a better teacher.”
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