Faculty News

Steve Heithaus Retires (16 Years)

Steve Heithaus will retire in June from his role as Director of Facilities and Security. He was hired 16 years ago to oversee buildings and grounds; the security component was added in 2014. Heithaus’ background in enforcement with the Coast Guard made for a smooth transition. During his tenure, Heithaus oversaw a number of transformative projects on campus. He served as in-house project manager for the Watters Center construction. Then came renovations to Lower School East/Auerbach, the Iselin Center, the kitchen, Lower School/main building, and finally the Bacon-Biondi building. Heithaus initiated the conversion of campus fuel supply to natural gas, saving more than $2 million in cumulative fuel expenses. He helped design the current security infrastructure and operations (gates, cameras, guards, training), deemed the strongest of our peer schools. “At the time each of these projects was huge. Now I take it for granted. You just do the work every day, so it’s second nature.” Among the biggest challenges he and the School faced were Hurricane Sandy and no power for two weeks, the major flood in the Iselin Center during the recent construction, often plowing snow at 2:00 AM, and most tragically, the COVID-19 crisis and the death of Hector, a beloved facilities team member.

“I’ll miss the people the most,” says Heithaus. “I especially want to thank Kelly Doerlfein; I couldn’t have done it without her. I left her in charge for two weeks when she first started and I was called to Coast Guard reserve duty.” His parting thought connects his work, his values, and the GVS community: “The feeling that I have for my three kids helps me to appreciate what’s happening at Green Vale.” Prior to Green Vale, Heithaus completed a 22-year career in the Coast Guard Reserve and a 10-year stint managing 63 branch library facilities in Queens. His wife, Teresa, has recently retired as a nursing professor at LIU Post. This summer, they will move to their lake house in Maine, and plan frequent visits with their grandchildren.

Alexandra Shaheen Joins Columbia Faculty

Five years after earning a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, Shaheen has been invited back to Columbia as an adjunct associate professor. On a part-time basis, she will be teaching “Fundraising Fundamentals for Nonprofits” to graduate students. Her colleagues on the Advancement Team can rest assured that she will continue in her role at Green Vale while she moonlights at Columbia. “I’m looking forward to giving back to and learning from an educational institution and students with vision. Above all, I know I will gain an even deeper appreciation for Green Vale’s unparalleled teachers and what they are able to do in their classrooms.”

Harvey Bass Combines Several Passions

Applying his skills as an educator, a sailor, and an engineering hobbyist, Bass founded the Rangers Sailing Foundation, an organ ization that finances sailing and boat building summer experiences for disadvan taged youth. Bass oversees the fundraising as well as the hands-on instruction of 3-5 teens each summer in conjunction with the Sea Cliff Yacht Club’s junior sailing program. Two of his past participants have gone on to become sailing instructors.

Meanwhile, he has also been working toward a PhD. in his spare time, and is nearing completion of his dissertation. The topic is an exploration of using heart rate variability to anticipate extreme behavioral incidents in autistic children. Working with a psychologist at Queens College, Bass’ theory is that reducing disruptive behaviors will lead to improved scholastic outcomes for those whose intelligence should not limit them from mainstream education.

Copp’s original murals grace the Early Childhood lobby.

“All art asks questions. What does the artist want us to see and feel? What is its purpose? Its historical context? Do I even like it? In the same way, your own close observations and investigations of the real world will lead you to ask questions. Deeper questions that Siri and Alexa cannot answer.” — Dee Dee Copp, 2018 Graduation Address

Mrs. Copp has been an art teacher at Green Vale for 34 years, primarily for 4th-8th Grades although over the years she covered every grade level, including crafts. “I was constantly learning,” says Copp. “That’s why I stayed so long.” Visual arts have always been a hallmark of a Green Vale education, and vitally important for artistic and non-artistic students alike. Familiarity with the creative process, with the choices an artist makes, with the forms self-expression can take, and with the role of art in world cultures are part of the well-rounded Green Vale graduate. Although with less class time than she would prefer, Mrs. Copp has managed to instill these skills in her students. She was always committed to a broad-based, process-oriented approach. The spring art show is always a grand and beautifully executed event. Over the years Dee Dee’s talents have also produced magical sets and backdrops for student plays. Head of School Jesse Dougherty says: “Beyond helping inspire upwards of 2,000 graduation tiles, Dee Dee Copp inspires kids to appreciate the world through an artistic lens.” When asked about what has changed and what has remained the same, Mrs. Copp had the following takes: • Technology changed everything. I had reference material at my fingertips rather than ordering postcards or running down to the library. • Kids have the same sense of humor, and take the same delight in different materials. They are not as strong with their hands; they want to go straight to the computer for answers. • The new art gallery allows for much more extensive display. Display is so important. “I’ll miss the time in the classroom. That’s the best time. You never get tired of that,” she says. “Green Vale is huge in our family. My kids loved coming here and loved having me here. All their friends to this day “Leaf Bowls”: One of Copp’s are Green Vale kids.” favorite projects In retirement, Mrs. Copp plans to spend more time on her own art, something she has always pursued in her spare time. She has been working on a collection of small oil paintings, but also has a vision of exploring ceramics.

Lorraine Campbell Engages Deeper with Online Learning

Lorraine is part of a group of teachers participating in a weekly idea exchange linked to the book Connecting with Students Online: Strategies for Remote Teaching & Learning by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Serravallo. Georgie Marley of the Teacher Center of Central Westchester facilitates this exploration into a strange new pedagogy that looks like it’s here to stay in some contexts or circumstances. Each meeting ends with an assignment to apply a new strategy or technique from the book. As an example, they were asked to choose a reading or writing lesson and revise it for hybrid/virtual learning. “I have loved the camaraderie with a diverse group of professional educators who are eager to examine and adopt new solutions that best serve students during this unprecedented time.”