Farmingdale, NY - May 10, 2017 - The Farmingdale School District proudly announced today that Farmingdale High School teacher Celia Blum has received her “Distinguished Teacher” award during the Harvard Club’s recent Distinguished Teacher Award Ceremony. Blum was recognized by the Harvard Club of Long Island as one of its 2017 Distinguished Teachers, a prestigious list of the most influential high school teachers throughout Long Island. She was one of only 12 teachers selected from hundreds of nominees throughout Long Island. This is the third time a Farmingdale School District teacher has won the award in the past six years.
“Ms. Blum is a model of the integrity and excellence emblematic of the district’s educational caliber, and we are extraordinarily proud of her for this well-deserved recognition.” said Farmingdale School District Superintendent John Lorentz. “That three Farmingdale teachers have been selected for this prestigious and selective award in the past six years speaks to the District’s mission to provide Farmingdale students with a world class education that will stay with them throughout their lives.”
Ms. Blum has participated in the Humanities program at Farmingdale High School for more than 15 years, after working as a volunteer and part-time HIV/AIDS educator and activist. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University in 1998, receiving the Katie Fraser Prize for Excellence in Comparative Literature. She has also coached the Odyssey of the Mind competitions and initiated the Farmingdale School District’s participation in the Long Island Ethics Bowl. Her 10th grade humanities courses are known to be challenging, yet fair, covering everything from literature to art, architecture, music and philosophy.
As a member of the Harvard Club of Long Island’s 2017 Distinguished Teachers list, Celia Blum joins fellow Farmingdale High School teachers Peter Macchia and Scott Drucker, who were named Distinguished Teachers in 2014 and 2012 respectively. Along with Blum, both Macchia and Drucker were acknowledged during the 2017 Distinguished Teacher Award Ceremony on April 30 for their inspirational dedication to student success throughout the District.
Teachers are nominated by current Harvard University undergraduate students, who fill out applications to convey the influence a specific middle school or high school teacher has had on their academic success. The Harvard Club of Long Island then selects around 10 to be honored as distinguished teachers.
“Ms. Blum is a valuable asset to our teaching staff and an inspiration to the many students whose lives she has touched throughout her storied career. Her students describe her classes as energetic and rigorous, and she is always available to any student seeking to reach the next level,” said Farmingdale High School Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson. “Our teachers are the heart of our District’s success. It is heartwarming to see them be recognized for their success and we are ecstatic to celebrate this tremendous accomplishments.”
For more information about the Farmingdale School District visit us on our website at www.farmingdaleschools.org.