Life is a Journey

Dr. Sam Gergis has been named the Manhasset Public Schools’ new Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations.

and is a Doctoral Candidate in Education –Transformational Leadership at LIU. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at LIU for five years, teaching Educational Leadership courses.

Taking Mr. Roder’s place as Shelter Rock’s principal will be Jessica Zimmer. Ms. Zimmer previously served as principal of Forest Lake Elementary School in the Wantagh School District. Before being appointed principal, Ms. Zimmer was an Elementary Supervisor at Wantagh Elementary School and a Staff Developer in the Copiague School District. Ms. Zimmer also spent 19 years as an elementary teacher at the Deauville Gardens School. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University, a master’s in Literacy from Dowling College, and a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from C.W. Post. She is certified in pre-K-6 Elementary Education, as a Reading Teacher, and as School Building and District Leader.

Dr. Agnieszka Dynda has been named the district’s Director of Preschool, Elementary Special Education and Pupil Personnel

Services. Dr. Dynda was previously a school psychologist at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Great Neck and was the supervisor of the district’s extended school day. She attended St. John’s University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, her Master of Science degree in School Psychology/Bilingual, her Doctorate degree and her School District Leader Certificate.

Kerry Fallon has been appointed as the district’s new Director of School Counseling Services. She has served as the Coordinator of School Counseling in the Long Beach School District since 2016 and has been a high school counselor in districts such as Ballston Spa, Hauppauge, Mattituck and Port Jefferson. Ms. Fallon received her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from SUNY Albany, her PostMaster’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook and holds a School District Leader Certificate, School Building Leader Certificate and a New York State Permanent Certificate for K-12 School Counselor.

Dr. Richard Sevilla has been appointed as the district’s new Director of Instructional Technology. He replaces Dr. Sean Adcroft who is retiring this year. Most recently, Dr. Sevilla served as the Assistant Director of Instructional Technology and Digital Innovation in the Herricks School District where he has held several leadership roles over the years. Early in his career, he was a gifted education teacher and then a teacher/technology integrator at Herricks

Middle School. Dr. Sevilla later served as the Instructional Data Analyst/Professional Developer for the Herricks School District. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology modified with Psychology from Dartmouth College, his Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology/ Computers and Education from the New York Institute of Technology, his Specialist Diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision from Queens College and his Doctor of Education from Hofstra University. Dr. Sevilla also holds a New York State District Administrator Permanent Certificate, K-12 Technology Education Permanent Certificate and K-6 Elementary Education Certificate.

Christina Lang has been appointed as the district’s new Coordinator of World Language and ENL. She replaces Laurie Lauria who is retiring this year after proudly serving Manhasset students and staff since 2010. Ms. Lang has been a Spanish teacher, coaching fellow, teacher mentor and teacher of Professional Development in the Oceanside School District where she was also part of several committees. She is also the Vice-President of the Levittown School District Board of Education. Ms. Lang received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Education and History from Saint Peter’s College. She also received her Master of Science degree in TESOL from Queens College and her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and Technology from Adelphi University.

—Submitted by Manhasset Public Schools