The best lessons end with students arguing the evidence.
I'm Christopher DeNigris, a Social Studies and Special Education teacher with seventeen years across New York City and Long Island classrooms. Wherever I've taught, the standard has been the same.
Social Studies 5–12 • Special Education • NYS Professional Certificates
My seventeen years in education run from New York City classrooms to Long Island's highest-performing districts, through general education, co-taught, and self-contained settings. I've taught Global History, U.S. History, Economics, and Participation in Government, written and defended IEPs, led academic teams to national competition, and provided evening home instruction so learning never depended on a student's circumstances.
My classroom runs on inquiry. Students work primary sources, argue evidence, and build claims they have to defend, because the skill that outlasts every unit is the ability to think in public. Currently at Jericho High School, I coordinate AP and Regents exam operations, which means I also see assessment from the other side: what it takes for testing to feel calm and fair to the student sitting in the seat.
I hold four NYS teaching certifications across Social Studies and Special Education. My rooms are prepared, transparent, and built on one conviction: the systems in a school exist to serve the students' learning.
Christopher P. DeNigris — North Babylon, NY
The Record
Continuity of excellence
Different buildings, different roles, different student populations. One constant.
"Highly Effective" — every year ratedNYS APPR evaluations across settings and assignments
Perfect attendanceEvery day, every year at Smithtown — reliability is a leadership trait
National-level student teamsLed students to national competitions in Science Olympiad, HOSA, and Forensics
Statewide facilitationProfessional development delivered to educators across New York State
The Classroom
Four commitments, one teacher
Inquiry-driven instruction
Primary sources, structured argument, and DBQ-style writing aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards. Students do the thinking; the room is built so they can't hide from it, and don't want to.
Special education advocacy
IEPs written, defended, and modernized; CSE meetings facilitated; SEL-centered planning in resource room, co-taught, and self-contained settings. Every student with a plan deserves a teacher who knows the system cold.
Beyond the bell
Academic teams led to national competition in Science Olympiad, HOSA, and Forensics; clubs founded; 30+ multi-day trips coordinated; evening home instruction for homebound students. The job doesn't end at dismissal.
Technology that serves learning
Digital tools for IEP progress monitoring and primary-source analysis; faculty PD on practical AI integration. Technology earns its place in my room by making thinking more visible, not less.
The Journey
Seventeen years, one direction
2025 – Present
Exam Coordinator & Head of Testing Technology
Jericho Union Free School District
Directing schoolwide planning, technology, staffing, and operations for all AP and Regents examinations.
2023 – 2024
Resource Room Teacher
Middle Country Central School District
Evidence-based literacy strategies that measurably raised reading levels; SEL-centered IEPs and CSE facilitation.
2021 – 2023
Instructional Support & Academic Team Coordinator
Syosset Central School District
Led student teams in national-level competition; coordinated 30+ multi-day trips and events.
2021
SBL/SDL Administrative Internship
Half Hollow Hills Central School District
APPR teacher evaluations, master schedule design, and an attendance action plan targeting chronic absenteeism.
