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Mostly Cloudy A new ‘pal’ for Hewlett High
The months-long search to find a new Hewlett High School principal is over, as Alexandra Greenberg has been given the nod to step in as its new leader.
The Hewlett-Woodmere School District Board of Education finalized the decision last week, allowing Greenberg to take over for Interim Principal Gerri DeCarlo beginning in July.
Greenberg was chosen from more than 35 applicants, bringing to Hewlett 14 years of experience as both a teacher and an administrator.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have found a great individual to lead the high school into the future,” Human Resources Executive Director Mary Bediako said during the Feb. 16 meeting.
Greenberg has spent the past two years as the assistant principal of Hampton Bays High School in Suffolk County. Working through the coronavirus pandemic, she developed a multi-faceted plan that allowed the school to reopen once students were welcomed back to campus.
Greenberg also supported expanding the Advanced Placement program while boosting college and career counseling programs, and setting up weekly “learning meetings” for at-risk students.
“Dr. Greenberg is a visionary educational leader who emerged as the right choice to lead Hewlett High School after a lengthy recruitment effort that included students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators,” Hewlett-Woodmere Superintendent Ralph Marino wrote in an email. “She is passionate about addressing the individual needs of students and taking personal ownership over their academic success. Dr. Greenberg’s strong communication and relationship-building skills — coupled with her student-centric philosophy — will allow her to lead Hewlett High School into the future.”
Before Hampton Bays, Greenberg spent four years in the Ossining School District, leading its mathematics, science and engineering department while chairing its social studies program. That put her over 40 middle and high school teachers, and even picked up some extra experience for her new Hewlett role by leading Ossining’s summer school program.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Hewlett-Woodmere community and learning everything that makes Hewlett High School special,” Greenberg said. “I love the process of learning and believe that schools are a place where creativity and self-expression are parallel in value compared to knowledge and academic success.”
Greenberg’s administrative career began in 2013 as a math and science professional development coordinator for Southern Westchester Boards of Cooperative Educational Services. Before that she taught math in New York City, putting in mentoring time at a pair of Brooklyn schools.
Greenberg also worked as a math content specialist for Teach for America, a nonprofit organization that enlists educators to teach in low-income communities while advocating for education improvements.
Greenberg earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Manhattanville College. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the College of New Rochelle, and a master’s in math education from Brooklyn College. It was that same New York City school she also earned her bachelor’s in childhood education.
Married, Greenberg has two sons and a daughter — all teenagers. Her hobbies include painting in her studio, and spending time outside with her family’s two dogs.
“Dr. Greenberg’s years of administrative and teaching experience — coupled with her passion for creating an environment where all students can succeed — makes her the right choice to lead Hewlett High School into the future,” said Board of Education President Debra Sheinin.
