Deer Park welcomed eight administrators in new positions for the 2016-2017 school year, six of them promoted from within the district.
Longtime
high school Principal James Cummings is the new assistant
superintendent for pupil personnel services, replacing the recently
retired Frank Caliguiri. Cummings began his Deer Park career in 1997 as a
business teacher at the high school, after four years in corporate
sales for Cigna and MCI/Worldcom. He served as the school’s varsity
track, winter track and cross-country coach from 1997-2002. He became
an associate principal at Robert Frost Middle School in 2002, and
principal of Robert Frost in 2006 and the high school in 2008. A
Sayville resident, Cummings earned his bachelor’s degree in business
management from SUNY Cortland in 1993, and master’s degrees in secondary
education and administration from Dowling College.
“Deer Park is a
wonderful community,” said Cummings. “It has been an honor and a
privilege to serve as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and as a
principal. I now look forward to serving the community in a greater
capacity in my new role of assistant superintendent.”
Dr.
Christine Criscione, formerly the principal of John Quincy Adams, is the
new district administrator for secondary curriculum and instruction,
replacing Kim Skillen. Criscione is a 24-year veteran of public
education. She started her career as a teacher and has worked in a
variety of positions including AIS math teacher, staff developer,
technology coordinator, assistant principal and principal. She joined
Deer Park in 2009 to serve as principal of the Abraham Lincoln
Alternative High School and UPK program. Upon its closure in 2013, she
became the principal at JQA. The Queens native and Oakdale resident
earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Queens College, a
master’s degree in health education at Adelphi University, a
professional diploma in administration and supervision from Queens
College, and her doctorate in instructional leadership from St. John’s
University, where she completed a fellowship instructing graduate
students in educational technology. In addition to her position in Deer
Park, Criscione teaches graduate courses at a variety of colleges and
has been elected the chairperson of SAANYS Region 1.
“I am
extremely honored and excited about taking on the role of district
administrator of secondary curriculum and instruction,” said Criscione.
“Since coming to Deer Park, I have been able to serve as a principal of
two buildings and it has been a pleasure to serve such a forward
thinking district that truly cares for every one of its students. My
goal is to provide collaborative, comprehensive support and assistance
to school administrators, teachers and students in an effort to ensure
that every student receives high quality instruction and has the
opportunity to achieve their maximum learning potential on a daily
basis.”
Charles Cobb, formerly an associate principal at the
middle school, was named the new principal of Deer Park High School. He
previously was an administrator at Lindenhurst High School and a special
education teacher at Division Avenue High School in Levittown. A
resident of Port Jefferson, he earned his bachelor’s degree in
elementary education at St. Joseph’s College and his master’s degree in
special education at Long Island University, and took administration
coursework at Dowling College.
The new principal of John Quincy
Adams Primary School is Christopher Molinelli, formerly an associate
principal at the district’s two primary schools. He previously worked
from 2005-2015 as a fourth- and first-grade teacher in Bay Shore, and
before that as a teacher at North Shore, Manhasset and Merrick school
districts. A resident of Wading River, he earned his bachelor’s degree
in elementary education and mathematics from Houghton College; his
master’s degree in mathematics, science and technology K-6 from Dowling
College; and school building and school district leadership certificates
from the College of Saint Rose.
“To say that I am excited about
my new role as principal of John Quincy Adams would be an
understatement,” said Molinelli. “I am elated to work alongside this
wonderful staff and supportive community with the goal of having each
child reach their fullest potential. This school is already doing
excellent work and I know that we can continue to promote our students
to thrive academically and socially.”
Philip Paniccia was named as
an associate principal at Robert Frost Middle School. The Setauket
resident previously worked as a teacher for 10 years in the Sayville
School District and as principal of Sayville Summer School, following a
15-year career in financial service. A graduate of Sachem High School,
he earned his bachelor’s degree in child study, master’s degree in
liberal studies and advance graduate degree in educational leadership
from St. Joseph’s in Patchogue and Stony Brook University.
“I
strongly hold the belief that we must work toward developing the whole
child with an emphasis on recognizing the unique academic, social, and
emotional needs of each student,” said Paniccia.
Kelly Benson was
named as an associate principal at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School,
replacing Celeste Archer, who moved to become associate principal at the
two primary schools. Benson previously worked as an elementary school
teacher in the Sachem School District. Prior to teaching, she served as a
New York City police officer for six years. A resident of Wading River,
she earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Iona College,
her master’s degree in elementary education from Dowling College, and
her post-master’s advanced certificate in educational leadership from
Stony Brook University.
“I am looking forward to a great school
year,” said Benson. “We have amazing students and an amazing staff.
Together, we will make great things happen.”
Michelle Kwon has
been named as the district’s new curriculum associate for ELA, reading
and library in grades 6-12, replacing Christine DiProperzio. An educator
for 16 years and a certified administrator, she taught English in Deer
Park’s middle school and high school for the last eight years. The East
Northport resident previously worked as a middle school English and
social studies teacher in Little Neck, Queens, and a high school English
teacher and dean of English in West Palm Beach, Florida. Kwon earned
her bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and her master’s in
curriculum and teaching from Columbia University Teachers College.
“I
am grateful to have the opportunity to continue working with my
colleagues in a different capacity where we continue to support the
needs of our students by also focusing on the needs of our educators,”
said Kwon.
James Henry is the district’s new curriculum associate
for math and business in grades 6-12, replacing John Watson. Henry
taught math at the high school for the previous 12 years, including
algebra pre-calculus and pre-AP calculus, and served as a mentor to new
teachers, lead teacher for Algebra Common Core and a member of the model
classroom, as well as director of the high school’s winter play and
musical, and as a class and National Honor Society adviser. The North
Babylon resident earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from St.
Josephs College in Patchogue, his master’s degree in arts and liberal
sciences at Stony Brook University, and this past May, his school
building and school district leadership certificates from the College of
Saint Rose.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to work
with my colleagues in a different capacity,” said Henry. “I hope to
enhance the Common Core curriculum as well as teaching practices within
the department. We offer so many courses and opportunities for student
success at Robert Frost and the high school. My goal is to continue to
assist teachers to use real-world applications to drive their
instruction and motivate students so in turn we can raise student
achievement.”