McCaffrey, Jack

Grew up in Southhold Long Island and came to teach in Bethpage in 1955 when the district hired 86 teachers. He started his career in Central Boulevard School and taught Junior High which was located on the 2nd floor then moved in with the Senior High School on Broadway and was on split session. He was coordinator of the Math Department for 15 years. He took a sabbatical in 1969 for one year to California with his family and received his Masters Degree in Math. He returned to Bethpage and was math supervisor. In 1983, he became assistant principal of the high school. He is proud to say his six children all went through the high school. He retired in 1994 and said he enjoyed his career as a teacher of children in Bethpage and would do it all over again.

Below information taken from Bethpage Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - October 18, 2014

Jack began his career as a math teacher at Bethpage Junior High School in 1955. He became the Math Coordinator there in 1957. In 1970 he became the Secondary Math Supervisor and had responsibility at Bethpage High School as well. Jack was also a successful Track Coach both at the Junior High and BHS. In 1984 he became the Assistant Principal of Bethpage High School, a position he would hold for ten years. He worked with Principals George McElroy, Faith Cleary and Toni MacLeod. In 1987 Jack's textbook Algebra I and II was published by Silver Burdett Ginn. In addition to his Assistant Principal responsibilities, he was asked to assume the role of Director of Technology in 1992. Jack was a pioneer in computer technology and loved to code programs. He was responsible for the first computerized student management system introduced in Bethpage and he coded a program to track student discipline. In 1994 Jack served as Grand Marshal of the Bethpage St. Patrick's Day Parade, a very fitting honor.

Upon his retirement Jack became an active member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and worked to assist the poor. In recognition of these special efforts he received the Caritas Award during St. John's University Convocation in 2007.

Jack and his wife, Mary, have been married for 51 years. One week before their marriage they purchased a home in Bethpage where they have resided ever since. Mary and Jack had six children who all graduated from Bethpage High School. They currently have 20 grandchildren.

Information from Bethpage Hall of Fame - Sponsored by the Bethpage Educational Foundation - Induction Ceremony - October 18, 2014