By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to Lisa Egan, Julio Veras and Sean Stahn for being honored as the 2024 Yonkers Public Schools teachers of the year.
Elementary Teacher of the Year-Ms. Lisa Egan
Lisa Egan is a dedicated and innovative third-grade teacher at Cross Hill Academy. A lifelong resident of Yonkers and a product of the Yonkers Public School system, Ms. Egan’s educational journey began at School 29, followed by Emerson Middle School, Pearls Hawthorne School, and Roosevelt High School. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Human Services and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Westchester Community College. Subsequently, she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Manhattanville College.
Ms. Egan began teaching at The Angelo Patri School in New York City before joining Yonkers Public Schools in 1999. Her teaching experience spans various grades and schools within the district, including Yonkers Middle/High School, Barack Obama School for Social Justice, Rosemarie Ann Siragusa School, and her current position at Cross Hill Academy.
Ms. Egan is committed to enhancing student literacy and math skills through innovative partnerships and instructional strategies. She has collaborated with experts from Teaching Matters and CKingEducation to implement tailored activities and assessments that have led to significant improvements in her students’ performance. Her dedication to supporting Multi-Language Learners is evident in her professional development efforts and classroom co-teaching strategies.
Ms. Egan is deeply involved in the total school program at Cross Hill Academy, participating in various committees, leading initiatives, and collaborating with community partners to enhance learning experiences. Her innovative teaching integrates technology, project-based learning, and social-emotional learning into her classroom practices.
Outside of school, Ms. Egan is an active community member in Yonkers, participating in the Colonial Heights Association of Taxpayers, Annunciation Church, Yonkers Teachers Bowling League, and other local organizations. She is also a dedicated marathon runner and supports local education and community programs.
Ms. Egan’s teaching philosophy centers around building positive relationships and creating a supportive “class family.” She is committed to fostering an environment where students are empowered, engaged, and motivated to succeed. Her efforts have led to remarkable improvements in student achievement levels in ELA and Math, reflecting her passion and skill as an educator.
Lisa and her husband, Patrick, are celebrating twenty years of marriage. They have two children: Jack, a student at The College of the Holy Cross, and Grace, who attends The Ursuline School in New Rochelle.
Middle School Teacher of the Year-Mr. Julio Veras
Julio Veras is a seventh and eighth-grade Mathematics teacher who began his career at Yonkers Public Schools in 2008 at Enrico Fermi School. Mr. Veras was born and raised in Rockland County to Dominican immigrant parents and has lived in Yonkers for over seven years. He graduated from Dominican College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 2002 and later obtained a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Lehman College in 2006.
In his teaching career, Mr. Veras has demonstrated a strong dedication to his students’ growth and development, notably achieving a 100% passing rate on the Algebra I Regents exam. He has initiated and facilitated various programs at Enrico Fermi School, including the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) chapter, the After-School Math Program, and innovative activities like Workout Wednesdays and Nature Walks.
Outside of his classroom duties, Julio actively participates in the total school program, serving as the Math Chair, a Data Professional Learning Community (PLC) Teacher Leader, and a Network of School Improvement (NSI) Member hosted by Bank Street College of Education, among other roles. His community involvement extends to participating in events such as the AIDS Walk and the YO DIGO NO MAS Walk.
Mr. Veras’s educational philosophy centers around creating a student-focused environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking. He has integrated finance education into his curriculum to make mathematical concepts more relevant and enhance student understanding and retention through real-world examples. This approach has led to improved test scores and a deeper grasp of the subject matter among his students – tools they will need in their lives.
Julio and his partner, Candy Mojica, a Special Education Bilingual teacher, live in Yonkers. Candy has significantly influenced Julio, encouraging him to view students through various learning lenses and pushing him to excel as an educator. They share a deep commitment to education and believe it opens doors to more opportunities.
High School Teacher of the Year Coach Sean Stahn
Sean Stahn is a Physical Education teacher at the Barack Obama School for Social Justice, where he has significantly impacted his students and the broader Yonkers community. Mr. Stahn began his teaching career in the Yonkers Public Schools in 2008, spending time at Barack Obama School, Yonkers Middle/High School, Khalil Gibran School, Montessori School 31, and Paideia School 24. He has dedicated the last sixteen years to nurturing his students’ physical, emotional, and academic growth.
Mr. Stahn, a graduate of Ardsley High School and former college basketball player and captain at Ithaca College, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education and his Master’s in Health Education from the same institution. He further expanded his expertise by earning a Master’s in School Building and School District Leadership from Mercy College. His journey through education and athletics has shaped his innovative approach to teaching and coaching.
Throughout his career, Mr. Stahn has been a transformative figure in Physical Education, developing a sports education curriculum that focuses on active engagement and learning through roles like coach, timekeeper, official, and player. His leadership extends beyond the classroom as he serves as the Physical Education and Health Department Chair at his school. His tenure as Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at the Barack Obama School for Social Justice has been marked by impressive achievements, including a Section One Tournament “Gold Ball” victory and significant success in nurturing students who have gone on to play college basketball and earn degrees.
Sean’s community involvement is extensive, including initiatives like the MLK Day Showcase and Friends vs. Cancer Tournament, which he initiated to raise funds for cancer research and support local families. His work with the STEER for student-athletes program is a testament to his commitment to mentoring and supporting “at-promise” student-athletes, guiding them toward fulfilling their potential both on and off the court.
Sean’s personal life is as fulfilling as his professional one. He is married to Jenny, his college sweetheart from Ithaca College, and they are the proud parents of two children, Charlotte, age 10, and Sean Jr. “SJ”, age 6. Together, they reside in Yonkers, where Sean continues to be a pivotal figure in education and community engagement, deeply invested in the success and well-being of his students and athletes.
