Ann Monsees of Locust Valley embraces strategic classroom management (like bouncy ball seating)

As the youngest of six children growing up in Farmingville, Locust Valley Middle School teacher Ann Monsees curiously watched as her oldest sister, Jean Monsees, now 61 and a teacher in the Half Hollow Hills school district, pursued a career in education. At 8 years old, Ann would listen to stories from her sister’s day, watched her prepare lessons and helped organize materials for class.

Jean “would do a carnival at her school and raise money, and all the kids came and helped her. . . . I still remember going to that and being like, ‘Wow, she did this.’ ” said Ann Monsees, 46, a mother of three. “I was definitely inspired by her and all of the things she did, and I still look up to her.”

In 2002, after attending Adelphi University in Garden City, where she played soccer and lacrosse, Monsees began her career as a fourth grade teacher at Bayville Intermediate School in the Locust Valley school district. After 11 years, she went on to the middle school as a math and science teacher.

Nearing her 24th school year in the Locust Valley Central School District, Monsees is known to be “really funny . . . very patient and kind,” said Kaylee Jewell, 12, a current student in her class. “She gives opportunities to kids to answer every question . . . all her students love her.”

Monsees said teaching elementary school allowed her to develop strategic classroom management skills. Her embrace of flexible seating, for example, originated while working with younger grades.

As her sixth grade students engage in different activities during a typical lesson in her classroom, they will encounter various seating arrangements — from high tops to floor seats and bouncy balls.

“I think they love it. It creates more of a relaxing environment,” she said. “It gives them that freedom that middle schoolers want . . . to take ownership of their learning and be able to go to a spot that works best for them.”

The idea came during conversations with another sister, Mary Lupo, who is a teacher in a Longwood, Florida school and an inspiration to Monsees. She had previously adopted this model.

“I was like . . . I’m just going to try it and see how it goes,” Monsees recalled.

Monsees’ efforts extend beyond the classroom as co-creator of the Fifty Nifty Club, a group of 10 to 15 students interested in American geography and history.

“Her commitment to her students, their parents and her colleagues is nothing short of inspirational,” Locust Valley Middle School Principal Michael Cestaro said in a written statement.

Monsees, who said taking risks and relying on others are fundamental to teaching, credits her most memorable lessons to collaboration.

This past year Monsees teamed up with English and social studies teachers as well as the librarians, to create an interactive exercise where the students built kites.

She used station-based, hands-on lessons to do so, she said,

“It makes them understand it better when they have those real-world experiences and they’re able to be creative,” she said. “They remember it.”

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