By Laura Lane
Davidowitz, 46, has been Chatterton's assistant principal since 2001.She will become the school's principal on July 1 when David Sills retires. "I couldn't ask for a better place to work," said Davidowitz. "The teachers are dedicated and responsible and care about the children. When I first got here, I knew I wanted to be principal because Chatterton is a great place."
The 20-year Merrick resident has raised three children in the district. Her oldest daughter Stacy graduated from Calhoun in 2003. Her son Michael is a senior at Kennedy High School. And eighth-grader Amy attends Merrick Avenue Middle School.
Davidowitz believes having children in the district has helped her work in the Merrick schools. "Both of my children went to two different high schools, so I've been able to see the progression from early school years to high school to see what the expectations are," said Davidowitz. "Seeing two out of three high schools in the district has given me a better picture of all the Merrick children."
The future Chatterton principal began her career in education helping special-education children. She worked in New York City at a placement office, choosing appropriate schools to enroll children, depending on their needs. Davidowitz then worked as a resource-room teacher at Levy-Lakeside for 17 years, which she enjoyed. Davidowitz said, "I loved identifying every child's strengths and working with those strengths to make them the best they could be."
She then taught APEX, the district's gifted program, for two years. Some colleagues thought the move was unusual for a resource-room teacher. "People thought it was a big change, but I didn't feel that way," said Davidowitz. "Children are children. You let them fly with their abilities. I found the transition easy."
When Davidowitz became Chatterton's assistant principal, she wondered whether she would miss teaching. "I didn't end up missing teaching because I still had a relationship with the children," said Davidowitz. "I continued to work hard at identifying the children who needed more support. And as an assistant principal, I found I had a chance to reach even more kids." Davidowitz said she often eats lunch with students in the cafeteria to meet more children, a practice that she'd like to continue as principal.
Davidowitz doesn't have immediate plans for change at Chatterton. "As principal I want to keep Chatterton a warm, caring, responsible, respectful environment," she said. "I want to give children the confidence to go and be the best they can be, work hand in hand with the teachers, administrators and parents. They've all been so supportive of me all the years I've been here."
Davidowtiz is committed to keeping academics at the forefront at Chatterton. "I will continue to bring the children to the highest academics they can achieve, have children be responsible and respectful, and increase their self-esteem," said Davidowitz. "This can only be done with the support of teachers and parents too."
And Davidowitz hopes to continue to grow personally. "Every day I learn from the children and teachers," she said. "Hopefully they'll continue to learn from me, too."
Comments? Llane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
