Thursday, October 1, 2026
For 16 years, Christopher Nyberg has been a familiar face to Wantagh students — helping them choose classes, navigate college applications, coach basketball teams and, perhaps most importantly, work through life's challenges.
Now he'll be guiding the district in a different way.
Nyberg officially became Wantagh School District's director of guidance on July 1, succeeding longtime department leader Frank Muzio, who retired after decades of service.
"It's an honor," Nyberg said of being selected for the position. "It was not something I had originally thought about, but to have people like Mr. McNamara and Frank have that faith in you was very meaningful."
The promotion marks a new chapter for someone whose path into education wasn't a straight one. Nyberg earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Scranton and initially entered the business world after college. It didn't take long, however, to realize it wasn't the right fit.
"I realized pretty early on it wasn't for me," he said. "I stumbled upon counseling, and I felt like it fit my personality better."
He earned a master's degree in school counseling from Hofstra University and began his educational career at age 30, joining Wantagh, where he has remained ever since.
During his tenure, Nyberg has worn many hats beyond counseling. He served for 12 years as graduation coordinator, advised student government and coached middle school boys and girls basketball, as well as seventh-grade girls lacrosse.
Accepting the director position meant giving up many of those responsibilities — a decision he said wasn't easy.
"I loved my job as a counselor, and I still love my job as a counselor," Nyberg said. "I also loved being a coach and student government advisor. It was a tough decision because I knew I'd have to give those things up."
Still, he said the timing felt right, especially because the district was able to promote from within.
"We are such a family in this department," he said. "Keeping it in-house was important." As director, Nyberg will oversee 10 guidance counselors serving students from the elementary through high school levels. One of his first priorities, he said, is ensuring the staff feels supported during the leadership transition.
"I want them to feel comfortable," he said. "I want to make sure they know I'm there to help them in any way I can."
His years working directly with students, coaches and colleagues have prepared him for the role, he added.
"I know the community. I know the students. I know the teachers and administrators," Nyberg said. "I understand the culture of the district."
Coaching also shaped his leadership style, he said, by teaching him how to work with different personalities while focusing on each person's strengths.
"I don't believe there needs to be one exact approach to everything," he said. "People solve problems in different ways, and I want to bring out the best in the people I work with."
Nyberg said the role of school counselors has changed significantly since he entered the profession, with social-emotional learning becoming a much larger focus.
"I think there's much more of an emphasis on social-emotional learning than when I first started," he said. "Students today are managing more than previous generations had to, especially with technology and social media."
Wantagh addresses many of those needs through its Freshman Experience program, in which counselors teach ninth graders lessons on organization, time management, gratitude, college readiness and emotional well-being.
Nyberg plans to continue teaching in the program himself.
"I think it's important to model that I'm willing to do the same work they do," he said of the counseling staff.
He also hopes students leave Wantagh with more than academic preparation.
"If every student graduates having gained one thing, I'd hope it's that they're prepared to be good citizens," Nyberg said. "Good neighbors, good people."
One experience continues to remind him why the work matters. During the pandemic, Nyberg worked closely with a homeless senior determined to graduate before entering the military. After schools closed because of COVID-19, Nyberg helped ensure the student had food, water and a way to complete his coursework.
Years later, the former student emailed him to say he had built a successful career managing a Virginia car dealership.
"That was pretty special," Nyberg said. As he steps into his new role, Nyberg said he hopes to build on the foundation established by Muzio, whom he described as someone who treated every student and colleague with equal respect. "If I can do that," he said, "that's a good start."
