Mrs. June Shaw

By Avery Ko

With her speedy stride and unmistakable theatrical singing voice, June Shaw has blessed the halls of South High with her bright smile for 15 years. This year, however, she joins the GNS Staff with a new title: Dean of Students.

Growing up in West Hempstead, Mrs. Shaw had a strong aptitude for theater and sports but perhaps more importantly, she loved to connect with people. Her high school student self was extremely sociable and fun-loving: Mrs. Shaw loved to live in the moment and went wherever life carried her. While she originally attended Sacred Heart University as a business major, she soon switched to a major in English: “I loved classes where I got to study stories and human nature,” said Mrs. Shaw. 

After a year of substitute teaching and working towards her Master’s in Teaching, Mrs. Shaw was hired to teach English and theater at Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, Connecticut, as well as direct their school plays. Despite a remarkably rewarding first-year teaching experience, Mrs. Shaw left Lyman Hall and set her sights on a professional acting career.  After realizing the lifestyle of a sitcom star was not for her, she returned to teaching.

As a mom of three, Mrs. Shaw regularly appreciates the intersection of her identities as both mother and teacher. “Being a mom impacts who I am in this building,” she said. ” Mrs. Shaw believes that being a parent has helped her develop better patience and compassion as a teacher. She spends her time at home dancing and writing original knock-knock jokes with her children and husband, finding moments to be joyful with her family.

For Mrs. Shaw, becoming the new Dean has simply felt like being a teacher with an extra title. She dislikes the misconception that Deans exist solely to discipline students, “We’re here to just make sure that everybody feels safe, seen, and supported. And if you’re having a bad day, you could come see your dean.” 

As an administrator, Mrs. Shaw stays true to her goal of improving the lives of students. She strongly believes in the importance of making connections with students and conveying the message that it’s okay to mess up and when you do, it’s smart to seek help with moving onward. Even though the nature of her title can seem daunting, she is truly here with the students’ interests in mind. “I talk to kids and build bridges so that they can see themselves as a fabric of this place, no matter their background, no matter their grades, and no matter their social circles,” she said.

Ms. Ana Tavares

By Erin Wong

Ms. Ana Tavares wears many hats. She is a Spanish teacher, a theology professor in college, and the Director of Religious Education in her parish. But above all, she describes herself as “a person of service.” This description encapsulates her 25 years of teaching here at Great Neck South.

After over two decades of teaching Spanish at all levels, Ms. Tavares assumed her new position as the Study Skills Department Head this year. Having taught in the classroom for so long, she felt that she needed a change. So when the position became available, she took the leap in hopes that it would be right for her. Now, even just a few months into the school year, she doesn’t regret it. “It happened to be the right change,” she said.

As department head, Ms. Tavares no longer teaches in the classroom, but she feels that supervising the Study Center is where her heart truly lies. She finds it rewarding how she, along with the other teachers at the Study Center, can interact with students she may not have gotten to know otherwise and give them individualized attention in any subject they may be struggling with. For her, it’s all about providing resources for anyone who needs help. “You don’t need to have a personal connection with the staff in the center to be able to come in and get the help, to [see] a smiling face,” she said. 

Outside of the academic setting, she is just as involved, interacting with both the student and teacher community. She is the advisor to the Hispanic culture club, the Coordinator for World Languages Contests, and a member of various school committees. “What have I not done here? Basically, that’s the question you need to know,” she remarked with a smile.

As for her plans for the future of the Study Center, she would like to add “a bit of a technological touch” by creating Google Classrooms full of resources for each subject that are open to all students, not just those assigned to the center. Although she doesn’t know for sure what the future holds, she intends to always “[preserve] that access [to the Center], no matter what.” She wants everyone to know that they are welcome to stop by anytime for help, even if it’s just to have someone to talk to.