As the 2022-2023 school year begins and LHS embarks on its back-to-school journey, another journey is just beginning: that of David Yaker. Yaker has taken on the positions of 11th and 12th grade Regents English teacher as well as resident varsity football coach. He also teaches in the alternative education program, Owl Academy. Prior to accepting the teaching position, Yaker was a member of the Lynbrook Board of Education for seven years. He shared excitedly that his time at LHS thus far has been “unbelievable!” 

As a member of the Lynbrook Class of 1992, Yaker has returned to his roots 30 years later, now teaching in the same halls he formerly walked through as a student. Yaker described this feeling as “getting a new lease on his career.” He added, “The chance to come back home after 25 years in one place has been amazing. Lynbrook has always been my home, and I could not be happier to be roaming the halls once again.”

Outside of the classroom, Yaker enjoys playing golf, collecting sneakers, going to Giants games with his family, and going on road trips. He has also embraced his role of varsity football coach and has thoroughly enjoyed the season thus far. “The football team has been the best,” Yaker said. “This group of young men has taken me in and accepted me as one of their own. This summer I asked them to make great sacrifices, and they did it without a question. This is a team I will remember forever, as they are the ones who welcomed me back to Lynbrook.”

Lynbrook’s varsity football team had previously been coached by AP US history teacher Stephen LoCicero, but there was little apprehension from LoCicero in handing over the reins to Yaker. “Coach Yaker was a player of mine back in 1990, and his dad was a mentor to me. Yaker has been coaching in Nassau County for 26 years and is as knowledgeable as any coach in the county,” Locicero shared. The players, too, have positively adapted to the new coach and embraced him and his coaching style. “I love Mr. Yaker as a coach,” affirmed junior varsity football player Michael Hendrickson. According to Hendrickson, Yaker is “unlike anyone that I have ever been coached by” due to his incredible “determination and his willingness to help the team succeed.” He added, “I am a major fan of his coaching style. His plays are fast and highly effective. I look forward to doing remarkable things with him as a coach.”

Alongside the varsity football team, Principal Matthew Sarosy is enthusiastic about Yaker’s arrival. “Mr. Yaker brings years of experience and a fresh perspective to the English department. Because of that, I am excited to see him collaborate with colleagues as he brings some innovative ideas to LHS,” Sarosy shared. 

LHS is a haven where students and staff feel accepted and welcomed. And, according to Yaker, the population of the school has accomplished just that in welcoming him back to the building:  “The people at LHS have been amazing. They were warm, kind, understanding and helpful.” He added, “The adjustment from one school culture to another is never easy, but all staff, from custodians, to secretaries, to teachers, to administrators, to parents, to students, have all been unbelievable. Quite honestly, the support has been overwhelming and beyond my wildest dreams! I could not be happier with the decision I made!”