Alum of the Month

January 2011

January 2011
Jennifer Santorello

Q & A:

  • What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
    Professor Bruce Torff was an amazing professor who really opened my eyes to the idea that it didn’t matter what subject you were teaching; but rather how you handled the class and how you treated your students. 
  • What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned there?
    After graduating, I was able to obtain a position just one month later, which is very rare for teachers.  I am currently at Plainview-Old Bethpage High School, where I started right after graduation, and I love it!  The students are amazing.
  • What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
    Currently I am a business teacher, DECA adviser, Business Honor Society adviser and extracurricular auditor.  Having past business experience really helped me become a business teacher and branch out within the school.  I decided to start teaching after I had a few rough years in the business world.  I had a love for teaching from the time I was younger, and I taught horseback riding lessons at the barn at which I worked. 
  • What (or Who) at Hofstra gave you your edge?
    Marsha Iverson.  She is such an amazing networker and really knows everyone in the field.  She was an amazing help with placements and recommendations.  I do not think I would have gotten so far if it had not been for her guidance and assistance. 
  • What advice would you give current Hofstra students?
    Work as hard as you can.  Don’t do what other people tell you to do. Pursue your dreams.
  • In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
    Enlightening.
  • What is the single most rewarding experience in your career thus far?
    Taking 55 students to the International Career Competition for DECA.  It was the greatest number of students Plainview-Old Bethpage has ever taken.
  • Do you have a favorite quote or saying that has kept you motivated through the years?
    When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Jennifer Santorello

Jennifer Santorello ’09 recently was selected as the Julian A. Milkes Outstanding New Business Educator for 2010 by the Business Teachers Association of New York State.

Jennifer grew up in Northport, New York.  After graduating from Fairfield University in 2006 with a degree in international business, she worked for a while in the business world until she decided to make a career switch and pursue a Master of Science in Education at Hofstra.  She used her business background to lay the groundwork as a future high school business teacher…

While at Hofstra, Jennifer was active in Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education.  Upon graduation, she was quickly hired as a business teacher at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School in Plainview, New York.  During her first year, Jennifer taught Marketing I, Marketing II, Law I, Law II, and Accounting. She also held the position of assistant DECA chapter adviser, which included more than 200 members, 56 of whom advanced to the International DECA Competition. The DECA Chapter’s success was a result of the hard work and preparation that Jennifer promoted. Some DECA events included: Stand Up for a Cause Comedy Show, Fashion Fights Back Fashion Show, Jordan Abromowitz Kickball Tournament, Sandy Vanderpool Kickball Tournament, and Jordan’s Footsteps Basketball Tournament

This school year, Jennifer is teaching Marketing II, Marketing III, Career and Finance, and College Business Administration.  Additionally, she has become the adviser of the Business Honor Society and the extracurricular activities auditor.  In her free time, Jennifer enjoys riding and caring for her two horses.  She also participates in many community activities, including fundraisers for the Little Shelter, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Dress for Success Foundation.