As we continue to settle into the 2024-2025 school year, Wheatley has welcomed our new assistant principal Dr. Sarandrea to the building! Learn more about his personal and educational interests in the interview below!
How long have you been pursuing a role in the field of education?
My first year of teaching was the 2003-2004 school year, so I have spent a little over 20 years in education.
Who has been your greatest influence in your educational career, and why?
My mother was a teacher, and she taught high school and elementary school. She was always someone that I was watching: all the planning that she did, all the hard work, and always hearing her talking about her work with students. I always realized how much joy she got out of working with students, so that was something that I was interested in being a part of.
I really loved English, I loved to write, and in fact, I originally wanted to go to school to become a journalist. However, I also loved history, so I started taking some more advanced history classes in college. At that point, I decided that history was something that I would really love to make my career and I thought the best way to do so was to be able to teach others about it.
What are your goals for Wheatley and what do you look forward to the most this year?
I think one of my goals for Wheatley is really just to help the students meet their individual goals, whether that’s getting used to being in the building in eighth grade or getting ready for college in twelfth grade. Also, I would like to help them to stay current with what’s going on in education, such as some of the new technology like AI.
I’ve also heard so much about the ICU Luncheon, Showdown, and other events. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody get together and to have these fun activities really unite the school. It’s amazing, I always like the events that showcase the talents that students have, like the musicals, concerts, school plays, and sporting events. It’s always nice to see students outside of the classroom so I get to see the different talents and interests that everyone has.
What do you believe are the most rewarding aspects that your role contributes to the Wheatley community?
I think seeing students make progress, whether it’s from the time they are in 8th grade to the time that they are graduating, or if it’s just over the course of a quarter. If I have the opportunity to work with a student through a difficult situation and I get to see the student being successful at the end of that, those are things to me that really stand out to my role. And I think that working with Ms. Pace and Mr. Jensen, we like to see that the students are having a good experience day in and day out. We know then that we have created the type of environment that they want to be a part of.
What are your favorite pastimes outside of school?
I love to read, historical fiction is probably my favorite by far and things that have to do with history, so nonfiction as well. I also love to watch sports and to travel with my wife and son.
Are you a fan of any sports teams? What are your favorite sports to watch or play?
I used to play baseball, but I don’t really play anymore. I am a fan of the Mets and then the Islanders for hockey. Those are my two favorite teams. I am also a big college football fan, so Notre Dame is the team that I follow for that. I’m not really into basketball or the NFL, but I probably like the Jets.
What are your favorite dishes to eat or cook? Do you have a go-to dessert that you enjoy eating?
I love most foods; if I’m going out to my favorite restaurant I will go to a Mexican restaurant. I also love Italian, my favorite meal would be chicken Parmesan. As far as dessert, absolutely hands down cannoli, my favorite. I also like most cookies as well.
Do you enjoy listening to music? If so, what are your favorite genres and artists?
Great question. I love music; I was in chorus in high school and everything like that. I really like most genres, everything from rock to hip hop to alternative kinds of music. I’m not a huge country fan, and actually do like classical music. A lot of times I like to listen to that just to wind down during the day. I’m not as much of a fan of some of the newer music, but those are the genres that are on my playlists. Some of the groups that are still my favorites are Foo Fighters, Green Day, Billy Joel, John Mayer, they are probably the top ones I could say. I could think of millions.