W.H. district installs director of academic advancement

While invoking heightened standards of learning this year, as part of the Common Core curriculum, the West Hempstead School District has instated a new administrative position designed to monitor and enhance students’ progress in qualifying for college, along with a new administrator to achieve this objective.

Carolyn Probst, the district’s new director of academic advancement & innovation, who was appointed on Oct. 15 and assumed her new role last week, will oversee the guidance and music departments at West Hempstead High School and West Hempstead Middle School and collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote student achievement in their schools.

“I’ve received a tremendous welcome from caring teachers, dedicated administrators and students, community members and parents,” said Probst, who is set to serve on a probationary period of three years. “It seems like a wonderful place here and I’m very lucky.”

Before becoming an educator in 2008, Probst pursued undergraduate studies in political science — an interdisciplinary major that comprised communication, law, economics and government — with a minor in education studies at American University. She later received her master’s degree in psychological and school counseling from Teacher’s College at Columbia University in 2008 and most recently earned her degree in educational leadership.

She previously worked at the West Hampton Beach School District as a high school guidance counselor, wrapping up a caseload of about 280 students before heading to the West Hempstead district.

She has also earned significant experience in the government when she worked for State Senator Charles Schumer.

“We think that Mrs. Probst makes a very nice addition to our team,” said West Hempstead Superintendent of Schools John Hogan. “We believe that she can bring a fresh approach to the concept of academic advancement.”

With her new responsibilities, which are expected to develop along with the role, Probst said she will visit all of the schools in the district on a daily basis to survey students’ progress and develop methods of deeper learning so they can achieve in class and better prepare for college.

She said she will also attend school meetings to inform parents, teachers and administrators about the district’s plan for academic improvement, most recently presenting this plan to students and parents in Island Park with West Hempstead High School principal Dan Rehman.

While she expects to pursue more specific goals over the school year, Probst said she looks forward to focusing on students’ educational outcomes as they prepare to leave high school, a prospect that she said initially drove her to become a guidance counselor.

“I think that currently, and in the future, we’re going to face a lot of challenges in education,” Probst said. “I’m dedicated to tackling those challenges in new, creative and innovative ways and I hope to make an impact through this role.”