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Maureen Rayhill

Maureen Rayhill, Director of Programs
joined Hudson Heights Partners in 2007. Previously, Maureen was a VP at Giuliani Partners, a consultancy founded by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Maureen's work there focused primarily on private equity opportunities and growth and communications strategies. She was also a Dean of Students and an instructor of Latin and Greek at Manhattan's Trinity School where she worked for 10 years. Maureen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Classics from Bowdoin College and received her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Zac Posen Tote Contest

Past Winners

Tote for Teachers – July 2008


Winner Details
Winner Name: Dr. Arlene Carter
School:Axton, VA
Contest Question
"tell us about a lesson you learned that you'll be putting into action with next year's students"
Contest Answer

“A high school student said, "Man, if I was born smart, I wouldn't ask for anything else."

Another student said, "I can't play pro football because of felonies."

A teenager spoke of her childhood rape by her mom's boyfriend.

Stories of abuse, neglect, and desperation found a place in Talk Back journals in my classroom.

The Talk Back journal has proved effective in giving "voice" to my young learners. In it their truths come.

We "talk" back and forth.

Sometimes the talks are easy, sometimes complicated.

My best lesson is to find a way to give "voice" to students.”


Dr. Arlene Carter

Tote for Teachers – April 2008


Winner Details
Winner Name: Jessica Kawski
School:Concord, NC
Contest Question
"How did you help a student blossom?"
Contest Answer
“Drew is a student that most teachers dismiss because she is extremely defiant and unmotivated. She tends to frustrate teachers, myself included. I was really starting to feel like I was failing her. For Lent this year, I promised to purposely make two positive and comments to her each day. This may seem easy, but for this child it was not. In the beginning I strived to look for something positive I could "catch her doing" to compliment her on. This was much harder than it should have been.

After a week of this, something interesting started happening: Compliments were becoming easier to give her. The more positive reinforcement she received, the better she behaved and the better she behaved, she more positive reinforcement she received! She has been working much harder and behaving much better! I definitely plan to continue this for the rest of the school year.

I have always tried to point out positives I see in students, but I had never done it so systematically. Consciously making two compliments daily really made a difference. It seems like both Drew and I benefited from my Lenten promise! She’s a better student and I'm a better teacher!”

Jessica Kawski

Tote for Teachers – March 2008


Winner Details
Winner Name: Kate Vaughn
School:Shore Acres Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Florida
Contest Question
"What do you love about teaching?"
Contest Answer
“ The bell rings. I am met by twenty eager, smiling faces. They are here to learn. I am here to teach. I motivate. I stimulate. I question. I answer. I support. I sustain. I discover. I assess. Johnny did his homework…by himself. Janie volunteers to read aloud…finally. Joey can’t wait to tell me his dad is home… from jail. They motivate. They stimulate. They question. They answer. They support. They sustain. They discover. They assess. They do this for each other. I reap the reward. Tomorrow is a new day. I can’t wait. THEY are why I love teaching.”

Kate Vaughn

Tote for Teachers – Three Wishes Contest – December 2007


Winner Details
Winner Name: Anna M. Dickan
Subject Taught: Religious Studies
Grade Level:High School
Winner Facts:Ms. Dickan has been teaching junior high and high school for a total of 23 years. She is currently the Department Chair of Religious Studies and an instructor of ninth and twelfth grade religious studies at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California. Over the years, she has also taught courses in junior high English, math, science, and literature; and high school courses in algebra, psychology, sociology, US government, and economics.
Contest Question
"What three things you would like to give your students this holiday season and why?"
Contest Answer
“This holiday season, I will give first to my students a sense of their own self-worth. I will identify their unique personal strengths, and praise them sincerely.

Secondly, I will offer listening ears. I will not only hear their excuses and complaints, but be sensitive to the underlying needs expressed.

Lastly, I will present the gift of a clean slate. In the New Year, I wish each of them the opportunity to learn from mistakes, and begin anew.

May January 2008 offer opportunity, renewed optimism, confidence, and a zest for learning, acknowledging that today is the best PRESENT.”

Anna M. Dickan

Zac Posen Tote Contest - November 2007


Winner Details
Winner Name: Ms. Anne Guzik
Subject Taught: Language Arts
Grade Level:6th Grade
Winner Facts:Ms. Guzik has been teaching for 30 years. Recently, she completed a Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning.
Contest Question
"What five things would you put in your Zac Posen Tote for Teachers bag on a typical school day and why?"
Contest Answer
“There is not enough room in any tote bag for the things teachers bring to school. They bring their hearts for their love of teaching. They bring compassion to listen to the heartbreaks children bring with them to school. They bring excitement, for they have to keep a student’s attention amid the media they are exposed to. And finally, they bring themselves - ever growing and changing with the demands of society - to prepare their students for life. Daily we pack these things and take them home to meet the needs of our families and repack them for the next day.”

Anne Guzik