By:Hector Flores
According to Sheldon Dumain, superintendent of the Bellmore School District, the board wanted a principal who was:
¥Organized;
¥Understood early-childhood education;
¥Was versed in the school's instructional practices;
¥And respected and was able to work with school teachers, staff and parents.
"He had all of the qualities in terms of instruction and experience," said Dumain. "He had 10 years of experience as a principal at a private school. He also has the ability to listen to what people say and react to it.
"In addition," the superintendent said, "we wanted someone who would get along with others, and who would be compassionate and understanding. You have to have it all to be considered and to be successful at it."
Caster, of Port Washington, studied chemistry at Queens College from 1972 to 1974. At the time, he worked as a camp counselor over the summers, and after that experience, he knew that he wanted to work with children. He no longer wanted to become a doctor, but rather, an educator.
Caster attended Bank Street College of Education in Manhattan and obtained a master's degree in elementary education. In 1986, Caster returned to the school and received a second master's degree in supervision and administration.
As an educator, Caster's first job was teaching math and second grade at St. Ann's School in Brooklyn from 1975 to 1980. He went on to the Bank Street School for Children from 1980 to 1984; followed by Spence Middle School from 1984 to 1986; and the Shell Bank Intermediate School from 1986 to 1987.
As a school administrator, Caster worked at Madison Square Boys and Girls Club from 1984 to 1987; then as an assistant principal at the Fieldstons Ethical Culture School from 1987 to 1994; and finally at the Friends Academy School in Locust Valley, where he was principal for 10 years, from 1994 to 2004.
Caster's jump from teacher to administrator was owing in part to a colleague's suggestion. "When I was a teacher at Bank Street, I was on a library committee," Caster said. "Gordon Kloph, director of administration, suggested that I get into administration and pointed out that I was good with other teachers. So I tried it and found out that I liked it.
Of Bellmore, Caster said, "I like the district, and I like working with kids from kindergarten to first grade. This was a great match for me."
Caster has spent the last couple of days learning the Reinhard School building, meeting with teachers, and learning as much as possible from outgoing Reinhard Principal Joseph Famularo.
Caster and Famularo have spent time together going over arrival and recess procedures. Caster has also been given a tour of the school and its classrooms.
As part of his duties, Caster is now working on putting a classroom schedule together, which will include art, physical education, library, lunch and recess. He is also spending the next couple of days reading up on the district and school and how they work.
Bill Morris, school head at the Friends Academy, said that Caster did a great job for the school and focused on students' needs. "Steven had a wonderful rapport with kids, and he was a great storyteller," Morris said. "He was also warm, giving and empathetic, which is a perfect trait for kids. He has given a lot to the school, and it was a great opportunity for him, but it was time for him to move on. I'm sure that he will do a great job at the new school. Our loss is the Bellmore School District's gain."
