By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com
Eight teachers from Commack High School put on their dancing shoes last month during a “Dancing With the Teachers” fundraiser that attracted more than 600 people. The event raised approximately $6,000 for “Dollars For Scholars,” a national scholarship program coordinated by Scholarship America that benfefits hometown students.
“We didn’t have winners; it was more of an exhibition,” said foreign language teacher Tracey DeMartis, the event’s coordinator. “It’s all constructive criticism, nothing negative, because everyone is totally out of their element.”
To prepare, the teachers practiced up to three times a week over a three-month span with instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Commack and Merrick. Dance styles included the rumba, foxtrot and swing, among others.
“Students see teachers as role models, so for us to let loose is an exciting thing,” said DeMartis. “Everyone was talking about it for days.”
Participants included physical education teacher Melissa Read, special education teacher Maureen Murphy, music teacher Karen Dow, physical education department head Mark Dantuono, science teacher Ryan McGrath and English teachers Dave Moran, Christina Semtle and William Patterson.