New faces in Freeport Schools

Freeport Schools welcome four new administrators to its team of staff members this school year.

Dr. Harold Dean, the district’s new director of grants, funded programs and student achievement, was most recently an assistant principal at Eastern Suffolk BOCES Ward Career and Technical Center. He is an adjunct professor with the graduate education program at St. Joseph’s College, where he has taught since 2012, and was a coordinator of grants, instruction and research at Eastern Suffolk BOCES from 2008-2011. In addition, he was an elementary and special education teacher in the East Moriches Union Free School District for more than five years. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University, a School District Administrator Certificate from Stony Brook University, a master’s in education from Walden University and a bachelor’s in special education from Dowling College. Dr. Dean has presented at local, state and national conferences on intervention strategies, progress monitoring and best practices. He is published in two Response to Intervention texts and statewide education journals.

Throughout her career in education, Cleopatra Panagiosoulis, Columbus Avenue Early Childhood Center’s new principal, has worn many hats. Ms. Panagiosoulis has been a bilingual kindergarten and first-grade teacher in Queens and the Bronx for the New York City Department of Education, and during that time was an AIS coordinator and literacy coach. She has worked as a data specialist for Eastern Suffolk BOCES and as an assistant data administrator and learning specialist at Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead. Ms. Panagiosoulis has also served as an assistant principal in the Springs Union Free School District in East Hampton, during which time she co-chaired the “Response to Intervention” Committee and was a Dignity for All Students coordinator and district data coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and a master’s from Stony Brook University. She is fluent in Spanish and Greek.

Ruth Breidenbach, the district’s new coordinator of the arts and community relations, is no stranger to the district, having served as a master music teacher at New Visions School for nearly 20 years. Ms. Breidenbach holds undergraduate degrees in music and elementary education from Dowling College, a master’s in special education from Adelphi University, and an advanced study degree in administration from the College of St. Rose. Currently, she serves as vice president of classroom music on the executive board of the Nassau Music Educators Association, as well as assistant chairperson on the New York State School Music Association’s Classroom Music Committee. In addition, she is an adjunct professor of music methods in the Molloy College Music Education Department.

Constance Malcolm-Grant, the newly appointed assistant principal at Atkinson, is also no stranger to the Freeport Public Schools. For 13 years, she served as the lead reading teacher at New Visions School and was a reading teacher and staff developer in the New York City Public Schools. Ms. Malcolm-Grant holds two master’s degrees in administration and reading as well as a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and an ESL extension. Her administrative competencies include staff management, curriculum development and implementation, and program evaluation.

“We always strive to build on our successes and apply our resources to increasing student achievement,” said Board of Education President Michael Pomerico. “We have made great strides over the past six years under Dr. Kuncham’s superb leadership, and we will continue to bring every possible educational opportunity to the children of Freeport.”