Current Workshop Leaders
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Scientific Breakthroughs in Western History
In the past 10 years, I have led or co-led 17 OLLI Workshops. I enjoy this very much because it is very satisfying to teach people as receptive as those in the OLLI program. I have chosen to teach Scientific Breakthroughs in Western History because it is such an exciting topic for me as a scientist. I have a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley. Information about my academic appointments and scientific achievements in science can be found at my ResearchGate site: www.researchgate.net/profile/Carter_Bancroft/experience
My main hobbies are tennis, softball, acting, and seeing plays, especially Shakespearean ones.
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How the Universe Works
Dr. Robert Bari is Senior Physicist Emeritus at Brookhaven National Laboratory. He has over 40 years of experience in nuclear technology development with more than 150 publications. He is an elected fellow of the American Nuclear Society ANS and of the American Physical Society. In 2012 he was a member of the U. S. National Academy of Sciences Committee on Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of the U.S. Nuclear Plants.
In 2018 he was co-leader, with Angela Bari, of the OLLI workshop on How the Universe Works. She was the workshop leader and developer of this course during 2012-2017. We both enjoy discussing physics and related technology in the OLLI workshops because the interactions with the participants are interesting and stimulating. -
Exploring the Met Museum and Topics in Art History (leader) & How the Universe Works (co-leader)
Angela has led workshops in Art History and Science at OLLI for several years. She majored in physics at Rutgers University and earned a master’s degree in physics at Northeastern University. She has worked as an engineer at several military contractors including Northrop Grumman on Long Island where she retired after 26 years. Angela enjoys travelling and visiting museums and is grateful to OLLI for providing the opportunity to share these experiences with others.
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Tragic Theater
I am an Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University. I retired sixteen years ago after spending a career of over forty years in industry and academia. I had enjoyed learning and teaching, so it was natural to start up a workshop in OLLI. Since I didn't want to spend any more time in science related subjects, I rather arbitrarily chose theater as the subject. Since its inception, I've discussed the work of playwrights from Sophocles to Arthur Miller.
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Classical Music: Themes and Variations V
Most of my work has been as a university teacher and writer. For twenty years until 2015 I also hosted a program of classical music and commentary called “Sunday Matinee” on Public Radio station WSHU, learning a great deal about music in the process. This inspired me to offer some classical music workshops with OLLI.
My most recent books are a collection of stories about life in a French village called "Not Quite a Stranger," two essay collections, "Out of Thin Air," and "Dark Matters," and a memoir, "An Unexpected Life."
Until COVID came along my wife Diane and I lived alternately in Stony Brook, and in a village near Uzès in France.
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Memoir Writing: Co-Leader
I've been a member of Olli approximately 20 years (I think). I enjoy facilitating the Memoir Workshop for two reasons: the people and their writings. Both are interesting, diverse and are never boring.
The hobbies that I enjoy are reading, writing, competitive bridge, any challenging game and cooking. -
Science Behind the Headlines: Co- Leader
One of the best ways to learn a subject is to try to teach it. As a workshop co-leader I have enjoyed learning and teaching science topics in a hopefully understandable way. The workshops I have taken on a variety of topics have been illuminating and entertaining and the new people I have met are an added bonus. My professional and educational experience includes: •PhD (Physics), Case Western Reserve 1969
•Postdoc at Stanford 1969-1972
•Brookhaven National Lab 1972 -2015.
•Research in basic nuclear physics until 1986
•Chair of the Physics Department 1987-1997
•Interim Director of the Lab during a challenging period of environment and political issues 1997-98
•Spent 1999 at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, part of the Executive Office of the President
•Subsequent roles at Brookhaven included numerous interim roles: Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Associate Director for several disciplines and as a spokesperson to give overviews of Brookhaven science activities to public groups. -
Learn To Draw
I have been an OLLI member since 2017 and a workshop leader for 2 years. My two workshops are “Understanding Electronics” in the Fall and “Learn to Draw” in the Spring sessions.
I am a retired Electronics engineer and at one time, an Electronics instructor at a trade college. Sketching is a hobby for me and I enjoy showing people how they can learn to draw. -
A History of Israel : Co-Leader
I am a former high school math teacher and computer science instructor.
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Op-Ed Friday
I have been a workshop leader for 19 years. I enjoy leading the workshop and discussing the events that are affecting our lives. I was an executive in transportation industry, and my hobbies include being an OLLI member, reading, and golf.
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Survival of a Nation: Exploring Israel Through the Lens of the Six-Day War
rabbicohen@myvillagechabad.com
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Major and Minor Modern Poets
I have been leading workshops for about ten years. I prefer working with adults. My workshops have all been devoted to different literary forms. I've been a teacher my whole life. Besides reading and writing, I watch college football.
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Gravity - A relatively different view: Co-Leader
I have been a member of OLLI for at least ten years, and have been a workshop leader several times. I am a retired engineer, science teacher, and school counselor. My interests are science, evolution and religion
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Photography Before Photoshop, Part II
fderubeis@aol.com
I have been a member of OLLI for 5 years. While I did some commercial work in photography when I was younger, photography was not my profession. However, I did study photography at Parson's School of Design on a part time basis from 1975-83. I teach a course in basic photography, including both the technical and technique aspects.
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Advanced Creative Photography
For the last ten years I have been taking photography classes at OLLI. I've learned so much from both the workshop leaders and participants that I've decided to "give back" by facilitating a workshop. I think I have been leading photo workshops for five or six years (I can't remember). I have had many of my photos shown in local juried shows and am a member of Women Sharing Art. I am also interested in tarot, and, a long time ago, taught an OLLI summer workshop about the history of tarot. Previous to this, I taught elementary school in Smithtown.
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Wellness and Aging
I have been a workshop leader since 2017. I enjoy being a workshop leader because I think there is much that we can learn from one another. I decided to lead a workshop on Wellness and Aging because I am interested in learning about the healthy life style choices that will help us as we age. I graduated from Stony Brook with a degree in Engineering. My wife and I have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. My hobbies are travel, music, and lifelong learning.
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A Series of War Stories
I've been an OLLI workshop leader for four years. I enjoy the people, and I enjoy my continuing involvement in the study of literature. I've been a teacher/school administrator all my adult professional life. I enjoy tennis, playing the piano and writing.
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The Mystery Novel as Literature: A Balm During Trying Times : Co-Leader
I’ve been co-leading the workshop: The Mystery Novel as Literature with Tasha Greenberg for 3 years now. Since I am an avid reader – especially of mystery novels, I enjoy being able to introduce others to
some of my favorite authors.In my previous life I was a college professor, finishing my career at Dowling College, School of Business, Computer Information Systems. These days I do volunteer work for Response, Long Island, and am on
my condo Board of Managers, acting as secretary and webmaster. -
Gravity - A relatively different view
I have been an OLLI workshop leader since the Round Table days.
I have enjoyed teaching because I want others to enjoy the subject material as well. This time around I have a new topic because I like the challenge of having to learn new material (while I still can). I was a chemist and not a physicist which I think puts me in a better position to understand the difficulties others may have in grasping physics.
I used to enjoy kayaking, but my back no longer allows it. -
An Overview of British History & Opera Introduction Workshop
For the last decade I have led this workshop on British History at OLLI. My PhD in Modern European History with emphasis on British and Italian history has given me much information for this task, and I enjoy helping others expand their knowledge about history. I have a longtime interest in music and especially opera. I have also sung in several choruses including for fifteen years in the New York Choral Society which performed in Carnegie Hall and at the Richard Tucker Gala. I have also attended opera performances in many of the opera houses of the world.
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Digesting a Good Book
I've been an OLLI member for 12 years and a member of the OLLI book group, Digesting a Good Book, for almost as long. Within a few years I became the co-leader and for the last few years the sole leader of the workshop.
Whenever I am asked about my hobbies, my answer is READING! As a former elementary school teacher one of my greatest joys was nurturing a love of reading in my young students. We had book groups and a lot of book talk! And I set a good example for my students by being a member of a book group with fellow teachers which I have been a part of for the last 26 years. -
The History of Long Island Aviation & The National Wildlife Preserves of New York State & Old Testament Part 2 (Co-leader)
I have been a member of RT/OLLI for 19 rears. In the past I have been involved in the Exec/Advisory Board for some 12 years in various positions, including president. I have taught a number of classes, mostly in history. I enjoy doing research and putting together original classes using a viewgraph format.
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The Mystery Novel as Literature: A Balm During Trying Times & La France d'Aujourd'hui
I have been an avid fan of mystery novels and detective stories since adolescence. They are my go-to books when I need entertainment or consolation but they've never been part of any career. (In the distant past I was a French teacher and prior to retirement I managed an academic computer lab full-time and taught computer classes as an Adjunct Instructor at Suffolk community College.) I've been a workshop leader for over ten years now, and have enjoyed it immensely, including the work involved: reading mystery books, gathering information, setting up Powerpoint presentations, and selecting audiovisual materials. It's all so absorbing and so much fun. But even more I love the interaction with the members; their opinions and suggestions have contributed so much to the success of our workshop. In Junior High School, I fell in love with the French language and vowed that I would be able to speak it fluently one day. I did teach French for a few years but switched to computers after the foreign language requirement was dropped for entry into most colleges. For the past 15 years I've been lucky enough to find great French classes led by Cornelius and Catherine McDonnell. I wanted to become part of this dedicated group of people who love the French language and enjoy the opportunity to practice in a very friendly, forgiving environment!
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Great places to travel after the pandemic & American Plays
Igharmonee@gmail.com (Irma) & partypoet@optimum.net (Sol)
We have led many workshops for the past 10 years including a chorus, opera, American plays, Woody Allen, Mozart, Beethoven, Leonard Bernstein, and the Beatles, we have traveled to 80 countries around the world and I’ve been to seven continents and have many stories and photographs to share.
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John Steinbeck: Writer and Philosopher
Richard Hart is a retired professor of philosophy at Bloomfield College in New Jersey. He has over 45 years of experience teaching philosophy, and has been offering OLLI workshops at SBU for four years. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from SBU in 1984. Leading OLLI workshops is especially gratifying because of the abiding interest and intellectual caliber of the registrants. The Steinbeck workshop follows on over 40 years of reading, teaching and writing about all things Steinbeck.
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Latin, 2nd year, continuing & Roman Literature: Horace
I am a retired high school and community college Latin teacher. I have lead OLLI workshops for 4years.
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Rock and Soul Music
The first few years at OLLI I enjoyed taking workshops in many areas. I love many types of music, so I decided to try leading a workshop. I was fortunate that in my town there were a great many musical styles, including R&B, Soul and Rock Music. I was pleased to play in a Wind Ensemble. A special experience I had was playing in a Soul Band. The course I share with you is "Rock and Soul Music."
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Literature of India
Narayan Hegde is an Emeritus Professor of English at SUNY College at Old Westbury. A Fellow of the American Institute of Indian Studies, he is an acclaimed translator of some of the prominent contemporary Indian writers and a recipient of the Literature Fellowship of the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Capturing The World Through Photography
I have been an OLLI workshop leader since 2009 and enjoy interacting with folks who have an interest in continuing to learn how to see the world through travel and photography. I am a retired environmental scientist.
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Advanced Creative Photography: Co-Leader
germaine.hodges@stonybrook.edu
I was an University Administrator for over 30 years and upon retirement was lucky enough to have someone recommend OLLI to me. I loved photography many decades ago, and as it does, life intervened. Retirement and OLLI gave me the opportunity to resume and refine this passion and labor of love. A few years ago I offered to help with a few workshops and have enjoyed it immensely. I am grateful for all the learning opportunities at OLLI, but most of all my learning enthusiast friends at OLLI!
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Joy of Writing
This will be my third semester as a workshop leader. I was a professor of journalism/English and Holocaust studies for 26 years at Montclair State University, NJ, and at Rutgers. Prior, I was a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, freelance travel writer and photographer, and TV reporter for 28 years. Some of my credentials: New York Times Travel, NY Post, Newsday, Baltimore Sun, China Daily (Beijing 2 years Fulbright Fellowship), Town & Country magazine (Contributing Editor), Travel magazine, Cablevision on-air reporter, CBS Morning News writer. Books: "We Knew: America's Newspapers Report the Holocaust" lead chapter; "All Aboard! Lionel Trains" 100,000 sales, #61 Amazon. Publicity: Oprah, Charles Osgood, Tom Snyder, NYT Holiday Choice, USA Today front page. Hobbies: Toy trains, soldier/castle collector, model ship collector, race my 1947 MG-TC roadster. I love and value fine, disciplined writing which has been my life-long skill and vocation, and have almost a mission to share that knowledge with others.
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Business of Sports in 2021 & Seinfeld, the sitcom and so much more!
I have led the Business of Sports workshop for more than a decade.
Creating lively discussions and learning about the history of various sports are goals weekly. Hosting top sports executives and writers further enhances the experience for all. I have co-led Seinfeld workshops for about 7 years.
I am a retired CSD Administrator from the NYC-DOE.
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Seinfeld, the sitcom and so much more!
My husband Jeff and I have been providing fun and nostalgic workshops for the past 7 years. We attempt to provide an escape from the stress of life in the New Normal era.
Seinfeld is probably the most discussed and analyzed sitcom in television history.
We love reading books, theatre, movies and walking. -
Beginner's Spanish: Helpful Everyday Words & Phrases
I am new to teaching at OLLI. I am an attorney and businessman and am semi-retired. I am fluent in Spanish and also speak Korean fairly well. I taught Spanish as a substitute teacher in my local school district when my son was a student years ago. I learned and excelled in Spanish in middle school, high school and college. I learned Korean as an adult.
I think that it is most important that people have fun when learning words and conversation in a foreign language. I believe that I can teach anyone who is eager to learn some of the basic words and common phrases for everyday experiences. I hope to find a helpful study book to use and to share in our Zoom class. I hope to teach foundational words and greetings and short conversation that you can use in everyday interactions with people you might encounter (delivery people, landscapers, retailers, service professionals, friends and relatives, etc.). -
Poetry Workshop
Writing poetry has been a life long interest. OLLI has helped me share that interest and develop it. I have been the Poetry Workshop Leader for the past four years.
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Moses: The Man, the Leader, the Icon
This is my fifth year as an OLLI workshop leader. I love being a workshop leader because it gives me the opportunity to interact with a smart and motivated group of people. Having led other workshops about the Book of Ecclesiastes, what Judaism and Christianity have in common, King David, and The Four Foremothers, I have decided to do one about the greatest person in the Hebrew Bible--Moses. He is a fascinating man, an interesting leader, and an undeniable icon.
I have been a rabbi for 43 years--12 of which were at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook--and I was given the honorary title of "Rabbi Emeritus" when I retired in 2014. I am a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and my wife Donna and I have been married for four years. My hobbies include reading (actual books!), walking, photography, and collecting Donald Duck memorabilia. -
Environmental Gardening on Long Island and Beyond with an emphasis in Food Gardening
I joined OLLI in 2015 and have enjoyed participating multiple workshops. I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm of workshop leaders, members and staff of OLLI. During the pandemic, a new appreciation for botanical gardens and environmental gardening have surged. Food Gardening in particular has been popular in the backyard, schools and community. In my view, it's time to have a workshop on "Environmental Gardening in Long Island and Beyond" with emphasis in food gardening for passionate and new gardeners alike.
I worked as a Cooperative Extension Educator/Team Coordinator in Community and Environmental Horticulture program with Cornell Cooperative Extension - Suffolk County, NY from 1976 to 2014. I have a Bachelor Degree in the Science of Horticulture from Taiwan and one Master Degree in Professional Studies from Cornell University, NY. My hobbies: Photography, Travel and Hiking. -
Inside the Atom II
Harold Kirk has spent 45+ years in the field of particle physics culminating at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. He has led OLLI workshops for 5 years.
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American Foreign Policy
Martin H. Levinson is president of the Institute of General Semantics, a think tank based in New York City. Prior to that he worked as a teacher, counselor, and administrator with the NYC Dept. of Education. In his spare time he presents lectures of historical interest to Suffolk County libraries. He holds a PhD from NYU and loves leading workshops at OLLI because the best way the to learn something is to teach it (actually the best way to learn something is to write about it, and to help with my learning I have published 10 books). OLLI rocks!
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La France d'Aujourd'hui: Co-Leader
Barbara has been co-leader for every year that the La France d'Aujourd'hui workshop has been held. Her French language skills are excellent. She has lived in France for a few years, and keeps in contact with French people who became her friends while she was living there. She has taught Advanced French language classes in local high schools. She is a wonderful resource for French culture as well, thanks to her personal experience.
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Adventures in Art and Photography
Having been an enthusiast photographer since my teen years, I was happy to have the chance to be workshop leader at OLLI.
Since retiring as a language teacher, photography has again become a great interest of mine. Through the workshop I hope to share my enthusiasm and experience. -
Spike Lee's Movies Matter & Black Theater Matters
michael.lomonico@stonybrook.edu
In my previous career, I taught high school English in Farmingdale and English Methods and Adolescent Literature at Stony Brook University. I worked at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and taught Shakespeare courses and workshops for teachers and students in 40 states as well as in Canada, England, and the Bahamas.
In addition to leading a series of Shakespeare workshops at OLLI, I recently led sessions on "Recent Black Literature" and "Black Movies Matter."
I am currently working on a novel based on my father's 1933 Diary about his CCC Adventures in Yellowstone National Park. -
Major and Minor Modern Poets: Co-Leader
Jane has worked with Dan Daly's poetry workshop for about eight years. She loves literature.
She enjoys our interaction with so many bright and willing adults.
Jane has been a teacher with a PhD in English. She is an accomplished pianist. -
Old Testament Part 2
I have been an OLLI workshop leader since 2008. I enjoy learning and sharing what I learn. OLLI people ask great questions. I have an MA in Theology and worked for 26 years as a Director of Faith Formation in several parishes in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In 2008 I co-led a workshop on Darwin and mentioned my background. Several weeks later a person from the workshop stopped me in the hall and told me she had just left a workshop in which a Jewish instructor who had just taught the Sermon on the Mount lamented the lack of Christians to teach Christian scriptures. After a few weeks of thought I volunteered to lead a workshop on Christian Scriptures.
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Analyzing Lincoln's Political Speeches
I've been a workshop leader for two years. I enjoy it because I find it intellectually stimulating to read and prepare my presentations and to interact with the very knowledgeable participants in the workshops. I've chosen the topic of Lincoln's speeches because they have long interested me and in my professorial life my research and teaching focused on political rhetoric. I was professor of political science at SBU for many years and I regularly conducted a seminar on this subject that was always well received.
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Voting in America Past and Present
This will be my first workshop leadership. As a former social studies teacher, I am aware many people do not know how our voting system evolved and how it compares state to state or internationally. I hope to work with other interested members to improve understanding of this critical component of our democracy
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Voting in America Past and Present: Co- Leader
In the past I assisted in a political workshop. I am a lifelong political junkie and feel we all need to understand the political process better. I am a retired nurse and I volunteer locally with Meals on Wheels.
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Current Events (Leader) & Op-Ed Friday (Co-Leader)
I've been a workshop leader for 12+ years. It's fun and current events are always interesting. I'm a retired pilot and enjoy tennis and golf. The rest of my bio is very boring.
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Watercolor for Beginners
I am a former data analyst at Stony Brook University who fell in love with watercolor somewhere along the way. OLLI students are great learners and fun to teach.
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Craft of Writing
mark.prendergast@stonybrook.edu
Mark Prendergast, an award-winning journalist and college professor, has been leading OLLI workshops since Summer 2017. The Craft of Writing workshop is intended to help serious writers in various genres strengthen their skills and polish their writing through supportive but constructive critiques by him and the workshop members.
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Current Events: Co-Leader
Murray has been an OLLI member and workshop leader for several years and is a retired psychologist.
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Coping with the Loss of a Loved One
Luciano Sabatini is a mental health professional who is the bereavement coordinator at St. Bernard Parish in Levittown. He has been doing bereavement counseling for over 30 years and is an adjunct professor at Hofstra University. He has presented many workshops at bereavement conferences on Long Island and has written two books on his personal and professional experiences in dealing with the loss of a loved one. He is new to OLLI.
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Meditation
For the past 3 years, I have been an OLLI workshop leader. Teaching meditation has been very good experience for me. Having everyone leave the class more relaxed and having a clear mind is very rewarding. Previously, I taught secondary ed. business. Currently I enjoy bowling, walking, learning how to play Canasta, and having a friend meditation group meeting once a week.
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Memoir Writing
Dorothy has been an OLLI member for 25 years. Formerly a first grade teacher, she has had a lifelong interest in writing. As an English major in college, she turned toward reading and writing activities at OLLI. The memoir workshop has been a joy in her life, first as a participant and later as co-leader. She greatly values the support and cohesiveness of the group.
Welcoming former and new participants has become an important part of her current life. -
Practicing Mindfulness & The Science of Natural Healing
I have been a member of OLLI for 18 years. Over these years I have taken and offered class on various topics. I have been enriched by meeting so many fellow members.
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Getaways Within Driving Distance
I am a retired educational consultant with 25 years experience facilitating workshops in business and educational settings. Upon retirement, I pursued my passion for travel and food and began presenting my travel adventures to libraries, senior centers and garden clubs. I have presented over 280 programs on local travel and public gardens, food and restaurants. My enthusiasm for the next new place to explore, the next new food to try, and the next opportunity to share my discoveries never wanes! I began my first workshop for OLLI last spring before COVID hit and thoroughly enjoyed the brief experience.
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Science Behind the Headlines
My professional and education experience includes: •B.S. MIT 1963 (Physics)
•PhD Stanford 1968 (Physics)
•Postdoc Stanford 1968-69
•Stony Brook 1970 - 2007
•Research in nuclear physics
•Awarded the Chancellor’s and President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching
•Chair Physics and Astronomy 1991-1997
•Distinguished Professor 2007-
•American Physical Society 2007-2015
•Editor in Chief, responsible for its 11 research journals, including Physical Review, Physical Review Letters
•Stony Brook 2015-2017 -
The Longest Distance Between Two Points
I started leading an OLLI workshop during the economic crash of 2008, but, I didn't cause it.
I enjoy being a leader because I control the mute button...hehe.
I keep leading the same class, but I change the name each semester so that it will attract innocents.
I attended an institute of higher learning.
My hobbies are humming songs from the sixties and metabolizing.
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Nature Photography Hiking and Kayaking:Gems of Long Island & Native American history Discussion Group
I have been an OLLI workshop leader for four or five years. I love sharing ideas and perceptions with others who love hiking and photographing nature. So many Long Islanders are not aware of the nature that is right in their own backyard. I am a retired elementary school teacher who got a degree in Digital Photography after I left teaching. The topic of Native American History has been mentioned as important by a number of members of the Curriculum Advisory Committee and I feel as a history major with an interest in underrepresented minorities I could help lead a discussion group. There are many important Native American authors and histories to visit. My hobbies are photography, hiking, writing poetry, and taking care of all our animals.
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Nature Photography Hiking and Kayaking:Gems of Long Island: Co-Leader
I am a retired electrical designer who loves nature and hikes in wheelchair accessible trails. I have been a co-leader for four years. I love hearing people share experiences in natural places. My hobbies are NASCAR, taking care of our little Onyx and keeping up with our six grandchildren
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Watrecolor Studio
I have been part of OLLI workshops for over ten years as an active participant or leader. The workshops that I enjoy are group efforts where members share their creative projects such as poetry and visual art. These works are presented for our mutual enjoyment, discussion and suggestions for potential improvement. As a former science teacher in higher education I know that learning is an active process and results from analysis and critical thinking.
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Yoga 101
Denise Teague, OLLI member since 2017 and Yoga workshop leader as of Fall 2020, is a certified Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).
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A History of Israel
I have led OLLI workshops for the last 7-8 years. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with OLLI members. As an Israeli I have lived the history of the creation of the State of Israel and am familiar with Israel's history and current events. I am a retired physician (OB-GYN). Travel and photography are some of my hobbies, now in view of the restrictions I play chess.
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The Effect of Technology on History
I have been an OLLI workshop leader since 2018. I enjoy sharing interesting information. I had a career in IT. My hobbies include music, running, biking, and hiking.