Erica Mattera and Allison Regan to receive award that honors memory of fallen principal
Borough President James S. Oddo is continuing the Patrick F. Daly Award after reviving it in 2017 in honor of the 25th anniversary of Patrick Daly’s death. After carefully considering all the nominations of exemplary educators submitted by the public, the Daly Award committee selected Erica Mattera, Principal of Public School 11, and Allison Regan, a STEM teacher at PS 38 to receive the awards. The ceremony will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 21st at 7p.m. live on the office’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/statenislandusa.
The Patrick F. Daly Award was established shortly after Mr. Daly’s death to honor his legacy of service to the community, a steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership. This award goes to two educators who exemplify the values of the fallen principal, who was gunned down 29 years ago in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building.
“I’m happy to continue this award to honor Mr. Daly’s legacy, and sacrifice, as well as recognize outstanding educators in our community especially during a time where so many educators had to adapt during Covid,” said Borough President Oddo. “I believe Erica Mattera and Allison Regan embody many of the exceptional qualities Mr. Daly had as an educator. Both have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students and a love of education and their communities.”
There is one award each year for a principal and one for a teacher. This year's awards are unique in that they highlight educators who went above and beyond given the challenges of the pandemic.
“I am completely honored by this," said honoree Erica Mattera. "I do thank the Borough President for continuing with this legacy and I obviously want to thank Mr. Daly for his courageous leadership. And to be even put in such a category, it is a memory of a lifetime. At P.S. 11, we will always remember this day and we will continue forging forward for the families of P.S. 11 and the extended families, especially for the kids. because I know that’s what Patrick Daly did and that's what he would want us to continue doing.”
"It's a true honor. It was totally unexpected," said honoree Allison Regan. "I'm an educator, so I teach. I truly didn't think I was doing anything special. I was just a teacher teaching my kids. I really want them to understand the feeling of community that I had when I went to school. I tell every student that I am so proud of them because there's no way I could do what they are doing. They are doing an absolutely marvelous job. I tell them that they are groundbreakers and they are doing something that nobody has ever done before."
Erica Mattera
Erica Mattera has served the Staten Island community as an educator and champion for children for the past 25 years. An undergraduate of Saint John’s University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and English, and graduate of The College of Staten Island with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, and Supervisory Certification, Erica began her teaching career in Public School 69 in 1996. She and her students participated in many community-based activities such as the Metropolitan Opera Guild Project and Staten Island Zoological STEAM collaborative. As Assistant Principal of Public School 8 from 2002 – 2005, she partnered with Staten Island Mental Health’s Parent Reading Volunteer Program and Parents as Arts Partners, to continue the mission of community-based learning and leadership. As Principal of Public School 11 for the past 16 years, these experiences helped shape her vision of implementing a holistic approach to teaching children and their families. Each year at PS 11, Ms. Mattera can be seen engaging students in Book Clubs and Zumba classes, and talking with parents on how they can utilize resources within the community to enrich their families. As a result of Erica Mattera’s steadfast leadership, PS 11 has earned many prestigious honors such as NYC’s Excellence in School Wellness Awards, The American Legion’s Outstanding Education Award, and The Staten Island Rotary Club’s Ecology Day Grant. Erica pioneered the District 31 & District 75 Performing Arts Night from 2010 – 2016. This project helped students learn empathy and compassion, while fostering the spirit of inclusivity and teamwork. It also enabled students to build relationships with neighboring districts and organizations. Erica is the proud mother of a son, Matthew John, who lights up her life.
Allison Regan
Allison Regan has always been an educator. At 15, she started her teaching career as a swim instructor for a local preschool summer day camp. At 17, she started working for the Broadway YMCA as a swimming and lifeguard instructor, as well as volunteering for the American Red Cross as a Lifeguard/Water Safety Instructor, CPR, and First Aid Instructor. After graduating from Kean University with a Bachelors in Outdoor Urban recreation, Allison continued to educate her students in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding and Water Safety as an instructor trainer for the American Red Cross, YMCA and JCC. Allison has received many awards in recognition of her service and education of the public, specifically children, about water safety and drowning prevention. After many years working as a Program Director for the YMCA, Allison enrolled at Wagner College and earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Still an educator, just changing the curriculum. Ms. Regan has served the students and families of P.S. 38 for over 21 years, wearing many hats and doing so with commitment to instruction, and serves on numerous teams for the advancement of the school community. She was one of the teachers to help implement the Inclusion Program (District 75) at PS 38. Allison serves her school community on the School Leadership Team, Technology Team, Testing Coordinator Team, and Webmaster. She has been responsible for the front garden including planning and planting with the students. It is a true community effort led by Allison. She is currently the STEM cluster teacher and teaches grades 2,3,4, & 5.
Borough President James S. Oddo is continuing the Patrick F. Daly Award after reviving it in 2017 in honor of the 25th anniversary of Patrick Daly’s death. After carefully considering all the nominations of exemplary educators submitted by the public, the Daly Award committee selected Erica Mattera, Principal of Public School 11, and Allison Regan, a STEM teacher at PS 38 to receive the awards. The ceremony will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 21st at 7p.m. live on the office’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/statenislandusa.
The Patrick F. Daly Award was established shortly after Mr. Daly’s death to honor his legacy of service to the community, a steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership. This award goes to two educators who exemplify the values of the fallen principal, who was gunned down 29 years ago in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building.
“I’m happy to continue this award to honor Mr. Daly’s legacy, and sacrifice, as well as recognize outstanding educators in our community especially during a time where so many educators had to adapt during Covid,” said Borough President Oddo. “I believe Erica Mattera and Allison Regan embody many of the exceptional qualities Mr. Daly had as an educator. Both have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students and a love of education and their communities.”
There is one award each year for a principal and one for a teacher. This year's awards are unique in that they highlight educators who went above and beyond given the challenges of the pandemic.
“I am completely honored by this," said honoree Erica Mattera. "I do thank the Borough President for continuing with this legacy and I obviously want to thank Mr. Daly for his courageous leadership. And to be even put in such a category, it is a memory of a lifetime. At P.S. 11, we will always remember this day and we will continue forging forward for the families of P.S. 11 and the extended families, especially for the kids. because I know that’s what Patrick Daly did and that's what he would want us to continue doing.”
"It's a true honor. It was totally unexpected," said honoree Allison Regan. "I'm an educator, so I teach. I truly didn't think I was doing anything special. I was just a teacher teaching my kids. I really want them to understand the feeling of community that I had when I went to school. I tell every student that I am so proud of them because there's no way I could do what they are doing. They are doing an absolutely marvelous job. I tell them that they are groundbreakers and they are doing something that nobody has ever done before."
Erica Mattera
Erica Mattera has served the Staten Island community as an educator and champion for children for the past 25 years. An undergraduate of Saint John’s University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and English, and graduate of The College of Staten Island with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, and Supervisory Certification, Erica began her teaching career in Public School 69 in 1996. She and her students participated in many community-based activities such as the Metropolitan Opera Guild Project and Staten Island Zoological STEAM collaborative. As Assistant Principal of Public School 8 from 2002 – 2005, she partnered with Staten Island Mental Health’s Parent Reading Volunteer Program and Parents as Arts Partners, to continue the mission of community-based learning and leadership. As Principal of Public School 11 for the past 16 years, these experiences helped shape her vision of implementing a holistic approach to teaching children and their families. Each year at PS 11, Ms. Mattera can be seen engaging students in Book Clubs and Zumba classes, and talking with parents on how they can utilize resources within the community to enrich their families. As a result of Erica Mattera’s steadfast leadership, PS 11 has earned many prestigious honors such as NYC’s Excellence in School Wellness Awards, The American Legion’s Outstanding Education Award, and The Staten Island Rotary Club’s Ecology Day Grant. Erica pioneered the District 31 & District 75 Performing Arts Night from 2010 – 2016. This project helped students learn empathy and compassion, while fostering the spirit of inclusivity and teamwork. It also enabled students to build relationships with neighboring districts and organizations. Erica is the proud mother of a son, Matthew John, who lights up her life.
Allison Regan
Allison Regan has always been an educator. At 15, she started her teaching career as a swim instructor for a local preschool summer day camp. At 17, she started working for the Broadway YMCA as a swimming and lifeguard instructor, as well as volunteering for the American Red Cross as a Lifeguard/Water Safety Instructor, CPR, and First Aid Instructor. After graduating from Kean University with a Bachelors in Outdoor Urban recreation, Allison continued to educate her students in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding and Water Safety as an instructor trainer for the American Red Cross, YMCA and JCC. Allison has received many awards in recognition of her service and education of the public, specifically children, about water safety and drowning prevention. After many years working as a Program Director for the YMCA, Allison enrolled at Wagner College and earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Still an educator, just changing the curriculum. Ms. Regan has served the students and families of P.S. 38 for over 21 years, wearing many hats and doing so with commitment to instruction, and serves on numerous teams for the advancement of the school community. She was one of the teachers to help implement the Inclusion Program (District 75) at PS 38. Allison serves her school community on the School Leadership Team, Technology Team, Testing Coordinator Team, and Webmaster. She has been responsible for the front garden including planning and planting with the students. It is a true community effort led by Allison. She is currently the STEM cluster teacher and teaches grades 2,3,4, & 5.
