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Why did we do it?
     What was our purpose in taking on such an open ended “History Project”; for which we evolved a script of questions and got answers from over 150 subjects for two decades?
     We couldn’t answer the question in 1994 when people would ask “What are you going to do with the interviews?” All we could say was that for educational purposes we had to document our record now or lose the chance to preserve so many poignant accounts, funny stories and touching tales told by exemplary educators. We knew these dedicated public servants might shortly, for reasons yet unknown, be leaving Brentwood for good.
     So, we decided to let time sort out the details. We began scheduling appointments. We asked questions and listened saving for generations the essence of what it meant to have been an educator or employed, in this large public school system during the second half of the 20th century. Brentwood remains an exemplar to all others; a diverse microcosm of America reflecting 124 districts on Long Island while simultaneously resembling thousands across the U.S. We’ve accomplished something here to be proud of. Whether we were interviewed or not, ours is a claim of service that few professionals in the State of New York or elsewhere have positioned themselves to share in the way we have.
     INITIALLY the practice of sitting with a subject for an hour and giving them a hundred percent focused attention seemed somewhat daunting to a number of friends and colleagues. So much so in fact that many declined our repeated invitations to speak with us as they left careers or retired from full employment. Despite all assurances that we were not about investigative journalism or invading privacy, they deferred. Now, twenty years after we began, some are saying they may be ready. “Better late than never” we say. However, to all among you who were willing to share not only your classroom experiences and personal stories, but precious memories from your lives along with your fondest hopes for the future, we say “Thanks”. Thanks for allowing us to continue the process by paying it forward as we share these interviews with the Brentwood community and countless professionals and researchers near and far. Through an acceptance of ROBS offer of collaboration with Archivist Dr. Geri Solomon and The Long Island Studies Institute at Hofstra University our History Project lives on in academia as well as in the collection of the Brentwood Public Library, thanks to Director, Thomas A. Tarantowicz.
   You can enjoy unlimited visits to www.robsny.org where you can watch and listen to segments from featured Interviews in the ROBS History Project Section on our Announcements Page each month. Return here to listen and learn again and again.

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THIS MONTH'S FEATURED   HISTORY PROJECT
INTERVIEWS:
Patti Monsen
English Teacher
Dec 23, 2011

Pattie Monsen     Just prior to Christmas, Dec. 23, 2011 we sat for the interview. Her   career had spanned thirty three years. Growing up in the Bronx, the family moved to Levittown when she was four. Moving eventually from East Meadow to Brentwood, she attended schools here from Fifth Grade. A spirited, assertive young woman she knew early on that teaching was for her. Heavily influenced by role models like Ross Herzog, Chico Frankel, Ray Lieber, Doug Calluchi, Nick Geraci, Helen Miller and Mr. Frieberg her first year, she reflects upon the impact Mike Welch, Joe Fort, Tony Mesner, Mary Jo Schmidt, Betsy Nabroskis, Joe Basso, Peggy Englehardt, Jerry Cohen, Judi Weissman and Cas Howard had on her life. Attending and graduating from BHS in the 1970’s she enrolled in Western Teachers College in Connecticut. Patti recounts memories of the day JFK died and the infamous incident at East Junior High when a swat team occupied the building, and worst still - the day the Twin Towers fell. Having experienced Brentwood as a student and teacher she concludes that “kids are kids” and really no different today. The internet has made it somewhat easier for them but basically they are “the same kids – just taller”. As an active volunteer with the music program she maintains contact with colleagues and is still “paying it forward”. She insists teaching is “wonderful’ but reserved for “a certain kind of person”….though it’s “not easy”. Yet if you love what you do you can’t help but pass it along.
   

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Rich Edwards
Travels with Rich Edwards