Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 has announced the appointment of two new leaders for the upcoming school year.
Jasmine Shepherd has been named Principal of Howell Road Elementary School, Amanda King will serve as Assistant Principal at Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue elementary schools and as pre-kindergarten coordinator.
Shepherd brings more than 17 years of experience in education to her new role. She holds a Doctorate in Education, a dual Master’s degree in School Administration and Childhood Education, and New York State certifications in grades first through six teaching, School Building Leadership and School District Leadership.
“I am beyond excited to begin this school year as the new principal of Howell Road Elementary School,” Shepherd said. “As an educator for more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of serving as both a classroom teacher and an assistant principal, and those experiences have deeply shaped the leader I am today.
Education is not only my profession but my passion,” she continued. “I was born and raised in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrant parents who instilled in me the value of hard work and the power of learning. Now, as a mom of two young boys, I carry that same belief into the work I do each day.”
As principal, Shepherd will lead Howell Road Elementary, overseeing academic and instructional programs, supporting teacher development and guiding school operations. She has extensive experience designing ELA and math pacing guides, leading instructional walkthroughs, conducting teacher evaluations and coaching staff using NYSUT and Danielson frameworks. Previously, she has served as an Assistant Principal, summer school Principal and adjunct professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, and has held leadership roles at Nassau BOCES and Challenge Preparatory Charter School.
King will support both Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue as Assistant Principal while also coordinating the district’s pre-kindergarten program. She attended Hofstra University, where she earned a Doctorate in Learning and Teaching, a Master of Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership. She also holds New York State certifications in School Building Leadership, District Leadership and Music Education.
In King’s new role, King will assist with daily school operations, support teachers, mentor student teachers, oversee pre-kindergarten programming and participate in district wide initiatives and committees.
Her previous leadership experience includes summer school Principal at District 13, teacher-in-charge at Willow Road Elementary School and participation in Shared Decision-Making, Hiring, Professional Development and Assessment committees, as well as IST and CSE meetings.
The District 13 community welcomes Shepherd and King in their new roles, noting that their combined experience and dedication are expected to support continued growth and excellence in the schools.
