Wantagh taps new curriculum chief

John McNamara hasn’t even spent a month on the job, but he can already envision himself staying in Wantagh a long time.

He is the new assistant superintendent for instruction in the 3,200-student school district. McNamara has held many positions in education including teacher, supervisor, assistant principal and principal.

McNamara, 42, grew up in Rocky Point and earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Providence College. During his senior year, he did tutoring and “that’s when I really go the teaching bug,” he said.

While working toward his master’s degree in education at Stony Brook University, he got a job teaching history and business at McClancey High School, an all-boys private school in Elmhurst, Queens. He also coached the track team. After teaching a year in the Westhampton Beach School District, he moved on to Island Trees Middle School as a social studies teacher.

In his third year, he became the social studies chairman. His responsibilities included teaching three classes, handling discipline issues, teaching observations and curriculum development.

Back to Suffolk County, he then spent four years as the assistant principal of Oldfield Middle School in Harborfields. McNamara then returned to Nassau, and spent the previous six yeara as principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. In a district with two middle schools, he said he spent much time collaborating with his counterpart, ensuring that both schools had equitable programs to prepare students for the lone high school.

Within the last year, McNamara said he became interested in a central office position, and saw the position open up in Wantagh. He replaces Dr. Maureen Appiarius, who moved to the Garden City School District. The two were able to spend some time together before he started on July 6, and McNamara was able to learn about the functions of the office and the month-to-month calendar. The advice he got from her: prepare to be busy. After being principal of a middle school, he said busy is a piece of cake.

“It just has such a great reputation, a high-achieving place,” McNamara said of Wantagh, adding that it is a has strong programs in academics, athletics and the arts.

McNamara will have two primary responsibilities. As the head of personnel, he will handle all hiring, retirements and resignations, and staff observations and evaluations. As the district’s instructional leader, he will work with the principals and department heads to implement and evaluate curriculum.

He said he has already gotten to know many of his fellow administrators, and is looking forward to meeting the teachers. In his role, he said he must be there for the staff. “It’s my job,” he said, “to find out what they need and provide those supports.”

In his first four weeks on the job, McNamara said he has been getting to know the district and the programs in place. “I’m learning,” he said. “I want to learn a lot. There’s so many fantastic things that are already going on here.”

McNamara said his knowledge of how a building functions should help him as he moves into a central office position. He hopes to spend a lot of time out of his office and in the schools once September arrives. “You get there. You get to the buildings,” he said. “My goal is to be out and about. That’s the way to do it.”

Talking to the students, teachers and principals will be part of his routine, McNamara said, adding that “kids tell you the real deal.”

He said he wants to immerse himself in the culture of Wantagh attending events such as awards ceremonies, plays, concerts and Black and Gold night.

“We are very excited to welcome Mr. McNamara to our administrative team,” Superintendent of Schools Maureen Goldberg said. “He brings with him a wealth of educational knowledge and experience with respect to curriculum and instruction that will benefit all stakeholders within our district. We believe he will be a great asset to Wantagh.”

McNamara and his wife, Kim, met as teachers at Island Trees. They have two children, Collin, 6, and Molly, 4. He said he is an avid boater, golfer and reader. He enjoys history books and John Grisham novels, and also academic reading so he can stay current with the latest trends in education.

Over the next few weeks, McNamara will continue getting to know the people and programs and Wantagh as he and his fellow administrators prepare for the start of the new school year.

“The community has been excellent,” he said. “People have been so warm and welcoming. I really look forward to September.”