Devra Small, principal of the Hampton Street School, will resign to take a director position with the North Shore School District, Mineola school Superintendent Michael Nagler said during the district’s board of education meeting Thursday.
Small was set to formally file her letter of resignation Friday for approval by the Board of Education in September, Nagler said.
“She’s been a great principal but she’s looking to advance professionally and this is a promotion for her,” Nagler said. “She’s going to do great things.”
Small, who did not attend Thursday’s meeting, said she will serve as the director of elementary humanities for the North Shore District. Small said she is ready to move forward in her career.
“I’ve loved my time in Mineola and I feel so lucky to have worked with a collegial caring staff, wonderful parents and adorable, wonderful children,” she said. “Now its time for new adventures that will hopefully be as fulfilling as my 11 years in Mineola have been.”
As director of elementary humanities, Small said she will be working with teachers to develop social studies, reading and writing curriculums for students K-5. She had been previously working as principal in a building that serves students from pre-K through second grade.
Small said that experience will help her develop a curriculum that puts children first and engages them.
“The humanities are the essential component of education,” Small said. “It’s the core of what children need to know.”
Small said she the curriculum she develops will be in line with state standards as well as the district’s. She said there is another director that will focus on science, technology, engineering and math and the two of them will use the guidelines made by the teacher’s college workshop.
Christine Napolitano, president of the Mineola Board of Education, saluted Small for her time in the district.
“I’ve known Mrs Small for a long time and I thank her for her service and I wish her very well,” Napolitano said.
North Shore School District superintendent Edward Melnick declined to comment.
Mineola is eyeing a candidate from outside the district to fill in as interim principal of the elementary school, Nagler said, adding he hopes to fill the vacancy in the next few weeks.
Reach reporter Christian Araos by e-mail at caraos@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @Christian_Araos and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
