Albertson teacher a 'Survivor' contestant

Christine E. Shields-Markoski, a teacher from Merrick, was announced Monday as one of the 18 castaways competing on the upcoming "Survivor: South Pacific," the 23rd edition of the CBS reality show.

Shields-Markoski, 39, who teaches English as a Second Language at Meadow Drive School in Albertson, is an avid half-marathoner and triathlete. She has competed in such charity events as the Greater Long Island Running Club's annual Long Island Police Appreciation 5K Run and Robbie's Run, benefiting The Robbie Levine Foundation, which advocates for automated defibrillators at children's sports events. In May she ran the Long Island Half Marathon.

On May 19, the Mineola Union Free School District granted her an unpaid leave of absence, "due to personal reasons," from May 23 to June 24. "Survivor" fan sites say shooting for the new season began May 30.

Shields-Markoski is part of a "Survivor" season, premiering Sept. 14, in which a new twist involves hiding the clues that lead to the hidden immunity idols. "Survivor: South Pacific" is also the first to feature a contestant related to a previous castaway: Brandon Hantz, nephew of famed "Survivor" villain Russell Hantz.

Only 16 contestants were named Monday. The two remaining castaways will be returnees from previous editions and will be named later this week.

A call to the Markoski residence was not returned. The Mineola school-district superintendent and Shields-Markoski's principal also did not return Newsday's calls.