Mrs. Kline has worked for Wantagh for 24 years as a school social worker. She attended many colleges, starting off at Nassau Community College, then continuing on to John Jay in Manhattan. Then she set off to get a teaching degree at Queens College, and finally landed at Adelphi University.
She has also explored many career paths that include working with CPS in New York City, and at NYU Langone and Mercy Hospital. She also taught Social Studies at Jamaica Night School. She worked in a Drug and Alcohol Clinic, a domestic violence program, as well as home based work to provide foster care placement. Furthermore, she did treatment for the chronically mentally ill.
She has helped many people dearly, and is loved by many others. Her most favorite memories are when, “I meet a student really struggling and they see the light at the end of the tunnel and they work towards the goal and they get there, and I get to be a part of it.” One of her former students said, “I was in a difficult patch in my life, struggling with severe anxiety. It felt like she was the only person who truly helped me along the way. She was able to calm me down when no one else could. She is such a sweet, kind and genuine person with the way that she speaks and truly listens to others. Whenever I talk to her, I feel like I am truly heard. She always had my back if I just needed to talk to her, I also felt like no one believed that my anxiety was real and they thought I was just using it as an excuse to get out of class, she did, she understood.”
Her colleagues had so much to share about Mrs. Kline. Mrs. LeMyre said, “Mrs. Kline has served the students and families of Wantagh with the utmost professionalism, full heart and total dedication. There will be a void not only in our hearts but the heart of this building.” Ms. Naughton added, “Mrs. Kline is a one-in-a-million educator, the kind who will not rest until the students she is serving have been given every opportunity to find a path to their best self. I feel honored to have worked with someone of her caliber.” Mrs. Musacchio sang Mrs. Kline’s praises, writing, “Iris has been a source of comfort and support for countless students and colleagues throughout her career. Her calm presence, thoughtful advice, and ability to listen without judgment have made her someone so many have relied on and appreciated.”
She has truly made a difference not only within the school but within our community. Her message to the school is that, “Success is not measured solely on your GPA or how much money you make but feeling whole, satisfied, connected to, and fulfilled are a better measure of success.” She will be missed dearly as she has helped many kids “see the light at the end of the tunnel,” and we wish her all the best, as those acts of kindness will stay with those people forever!