DOC GREENBERGER NAMED
"2009 Harvard Club of Long Island Distinguished Teacher"

(March 16, 2009) Erin McKenna, Riverhead High School Valedictorian (Class of 2005), is currently a Harvard University senior. Upon her acceptance at Harvard, Erin attributed her good fortune to her Latin/Ancient Greek teacher, Riverhead High School’s “Doc” Greenberger, who had written her a glowing recommendation. Four years later, Erin returned the favor by writing a nomination letter which helped land Dr. Greenberger a 2009 Harvard Club of Long Island Distinguished Teacher award (pictured above: (1) RMS Roman Banquet Raffling off Prizes, (2) RHS Assistant Principal Dali Rastello and Doc standing with certificate from Harvard Club, (3) Reading at the Holiday Library Soiree).

"Doc" was chosen as one of 10 recipients of the award. He was in competition with teachers from more than 120 school districts across Long Island.

"Doc is, quite simply, the best teacher I have ever had. His dedication to teaching is truly unparalleled. Having done his graduate studies at Cambridge University, he could have gone on to any number of things, and yet he chose to bring Latin and Ancient Greek to a public high school," Ms. McKenna wrote. "His unique way of making these languages exciting and enticing has resulted in a rapid growth of the Classics program at RHS. . . I am a senior this year and about to graduate with a degree in Classics, and I am one of very few students to come into the Harvard Classics department from a public high school. Without Doc, I never would have discovered my love for the Classics, and my Harvard experience would not have been the same. He deserves the honor more than any other teacher I can think of."

He and the other award recipients were honored at the Harvard Club's annual University Relations Lunch in Melville on March 14th. The club is composed of alumni and current students, as well as their parents, from Suffolk and Nassau counties.

"It's always a thrill to be remembered fondly by former students, and when the remembrance comes with a lunch -- as is the case with this Harvard Club award -- then I feel honored, indeed," Mr. Greenberger said. "Erin McKenna ... recommended me for this recognition with some very high compliments. I thank her, and all the other brainy, motivated and open-minded teenagers with whom I have been lucky enough to work, for their interest in ancient language and culture and their tolerance of my long-windedness have made my job a pleasure for the past twenty-odd years.”

"None of us is shocked that this is something he's being awarded," said Dali Rastello, an assistant principal at RHS and a former Spanish teacher and Foreign Language Chairperson. "He's a master teacher. He's an inspiration to all the teachers, not just the students, because of the way the students gravitate to his very unusual topic," she continued. "The students get hooked and never leave. Many of them go on to study Latin and the Classics in college."

The 2008 Valedictorian Allyson Bunch attends Bryn Mawr University (with a full scholarship) and is majoring in Classical Studies. She hopes to become a Latin teacher some day. Allyson was the fourth Valedictorian from Riverhead High School to attend a top-ranked college with plans to major in Classical Studies in the last four years. Tara McKenna (2007-Classics at Duke University), Kristin Krusell (2006-Classics at Brown University), Erin McKenna (2005-Classics at Harvard University); Jessica Lamont (2004-received a degree in Classics at William and Mary University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Classical studies at John Hopkins University).

RHS Principal David Zimbler concurs with all of the accolades, “Doc Greenberger has been a valued member of the Riverhead School District staff since 1988.  His positive attitude and love for children are reflected each and every day at RHS.  His enthusiasm and genuine concern for education are exemplary.  His flexibility in working with students, teachers, administrators and the public has earned him a reputation as someone who puts children first.”

Congratulations, Doc Greenberger!