Longtime dream brought Plainview's Tricia Rehil to the classroom

Tricia Reehil was in her 40s when she turned a decades-long dream of teaching into reality.

She had already earned a degree in international business, enjoyed a career in finance on Wall Street, worked in insurance, and raised three children.

But her love for education, fostered by the many inspiring teachers she had growing up in East Islip and re-energized by motherhood, finally brought her back to the classroom.

After graduating from Hofstra University with a master’s in teaching, she took on a new role at Judy Jacobs Parkway School in Plainview. Almost immediately, she thought, “OK, this is where I belong.”

“I cannot think of a better profession, playing a small part in their journey to their dreams and their success,” said Reehil, 56, who has taught fourth grade since 2018. “They’re inquisitive at this age, they want to learn, and they’re willing to take risks. My goal is to teach them how to be good students and good humans — I have high expectations, but we have fun in here.”

Every year, Reehill’s students have the opportunity to be “Teacher for a Day.”

Under her guidance, volunteers can pick a topic they’re passionate about, plan a lesson, create assessments and ultimately take the teaching reins.

Some of her pupils have shown up wearing a three-piece suit; one student had a briefcase, an apple and an official nameplate. Many copy her mannerisms and go-to phrases while teaching. Meanwhile, Reehil sits in the student’s desk that day.

Topics have included American Sign Language, origami, flamingos, Brazilian culture, dance and police dogs. 

What began as a small idea to give students a knowledge-sharing platform has since “blown my mind,” Reehil said. “I look forward to it every year.”

She observed those watching the lessons are always engaged and respectful. And though it’s not mandatory, everyone eventually wants to sign up, from the confident kids to the extremely shy and those who struggle academically.

“Students with special needs are really able to shine in her classroom,” said Aileen Sharkey, a speech-language pathologist at the school, whose students have led lessons about twins and sea turtles. “You can see in their body language . . . their confidence just explodes during Teacher for a Day. They’re much better able to express themselves after.”

Gina Ciccotto, 17, a high school senior, was the very first student to sign up for “Teacher for a Day,” and taught a lesson on the Underground Railroad. She’s now planning a career in education.

“Looking back, “Teacher for a Day” was a spark for this,” Ciccotto said. “I learned how to be a leader and how to be responsible for my actions. Mrs. Reehil was such an influential teacher, and her impact is something I will never forget. She pushes each student to reach their full potential. . . . I hope that in my future I can be a ‘Mrs. Reehil’ to someone.”

Nominate the passionate,  engaging and innovative educators of Long Island to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight series by sending details to LILife@Newsday.com.