Mariusz Borkowski
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - African Proverb
Education & Certifications:
Physical Education
Health Education
Suffolk County Ocean Lifeguard
Basic Life Support Instructor
American Safety Health Institute Instructor
Teaching Experience:
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø 2001 - Present (Elementary P.E., Middle School P.E. and High School P.E.)
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
-Exercise Physiology and Human Performance
-Head Coach and founder of Girls' Varsity Swimming and Diving 2002 - Present
-Lifeguarding
A health recommendation to students and parents/guardians:
“Educating the mind, without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle
Mary Drago
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
“There are three C’s in Life: Choices, Chances, and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never Change.” - unknown
Education & Certifications:
B.S. in Physical Education - University of Maine
M.S. in Physical Education - Hofstra University
Teaching Experience:
Elementary P.E. and High School P.E.
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
Field Hockey, Coaching, Being a mom to my three children
A health recommendation to students and parents/guardians:
“Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?”
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey
“If it is important to you , you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse. M. Drago
Michelle Denino-Gordon
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
"A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offset stress." Author Unknown
Education & Certifications:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Adelphi University.
Masters Degree in Physical Education Adelphi University.
Dance Educators of America Teacher Certification.
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
Spending quality time with my husband and my children
A health recommendation to students and parents/guardians:
The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.
Cortney Echevarria
Phys Ed/Health Ed
Grades 7/8
Education & Certifications:
B.S.-Physical Education-Hofstra University
MA-Health Education-Hofstra University
Teaching Experience:
2001-present - ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Middle School
Favorite Healthy Quote:
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard!!!"
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
Dance, bike riding, cooking
Olivia Consolmagno
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
“Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”- Josh Billings
Education & Certifications:
-B.S. in Physical Education K-12
-Minor in Exercise Physiology
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
-Coaching softball
-Working out
-Playing Guitar
A health recommendation to students and parents/guardians:
“You have to do all of the little things to have a shot at the big things.” - Bill Edwards
Fun Facts: Olivia was drafted #2 overall pick in the country for professional softball.
Nicholas Giusto
Phys Ed/Health Ed
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
“Just when you’re ready to give up on something remember that there’s someone that’s inspired by you.” - Gianna Geraci (BS Class of 2019)
Education & Certification:
B.S. – Physical Education and Health Education- Plymouth State University
MA - General Education, & Special Education (1-6) - Touro College
Teaching Experience:
2012- Present - ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Middle School, NY
2010-2012 – Harlem Village Academy Middle School, NY
May & June 2009 – Londonderry High School, NH
Hobbies:
Soccer, Baseball, Music, and Carpentry
Taylor Harney
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Miss Harney graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. While at SUNY Cortland, Miss Harney was a member of the Women's Lacrosse team for four years and had the opportunity to participate in three NCAA Final Four appearances.
Miss Harney was at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Middle School for one year before she came to teach Physical Education at Gardiner Manor in 2016. In addition to teaching physical education, Miss Harney also facilitates the Healthier Families program in collaboration with Good Samaritan Hospital. Miss Harney is also the Girl's Varsity Field Hockey Assistant Coach as well as the Girl's Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach for ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø High School.
Stuart Love
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work”
Education & Certifications:
BSc Sports Science - Edinburgh University (Scotland) 1999
MA Physical Education - Adelphi University 2006
Teaching Experience:
2007-Present: (Elementary, Middle School and High School Physical Education)
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
Soccer and Golf
Head Coach - Boys Varsity Soccer
A health recommendation to students and parents/guardians:
Children should be taught the value of trying their best, never giving up and of self-improvement. In youth activities, too much emphasis is placed on winning at all costs and this leads to a large number of children to not feel valued and lose interest.
Sam Lynch
Physical Education Teacher
Grades 9-12
Favorite Healthy Quote:
"Always aim for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." -W. Clement Stone
Education & Certifications:
B.S.- Physical Education, Adelphi University
M.A.L.S - Health emphasis, Stony Brook University
Teaching Experience:
2016- Present - ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Middle School
2015-2016 - Patchogue Medford Schools, Saxton Middle School
2009-2015 - Sayville Public Schools, Physical Education
Special Interest(s) & Hobbies:
Running, hiking, football, reading and traveling with my family.