Friday, October 2, 2026
Valley Stream Central High School will welcome a familiar face as its new principal, with longtime district educator Bret Strauss set to assume the role.
Strauss brings more than two decades of experience in the Valley Stream Central High School District, where he has served as a teacher, dean, assistant principal and, most recently, principal of Memorial Junior High School. His appointment marks a return to the high school where he began his career in the district in 2002 as a business education teacher.
“It’s kind of like a full circle moment coming back to where I started as a teacher,” Strauss said. “I’ve always had a love of Central and a respect for the building because I know how many great programs there are. I’m super excited to work with the people that I worked with when I left. It’s almost like a family reunion.”
A graduate of Towson State University with a degree in business and marketing, Strauss initially worked outside education after college. He spent six years running his family’s tuxedo business before deciding to pursue a new career. After earning a master’s degree in business education from Hofstra University, he joined Central High School as a business teacher.
After seven years in the classroom, Strauss became dean of students at Central in 2009. Two years later, he moved to Memorial Junior High School as assistant principal, where he oversaw guidance, testing and master scheduling before being named principal in 2016.
During his decade leading Memorial, the school earned recognition as both a National and New York State Essential Elements: School to Watch, an honor presented by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Middle School Association.
Under Strauss’ leadership, Memorial became the pilot site for several initiatives that later expanded throughout the district, including restorative practices, Girls Inc. and My Brother’s Keeper. The school also served as the starting point for programs such as The Writing Revolution and Building Thinking Classrooms, while the Memorial Community for Social Justice Committee helped lay the foundation for districtwide equity teams.
Strauss is especially proud of the culture developed at Memorial during his tenure.
“We’ve built a real pride around our building between the PTSA, teachers, the staff and the community,” Strauss said. “I think there’s just such a solid and strong love of the school and the community, and that I think is probably the part I feel most proud of.”
His experience at the junior high level also shaped his perspective as an educator. Having worked closely with students transitioning from elementary school into high school. He has developed a deeper understanding of both the challenges students face and the preparation needed for success at the high school level.
Now returning to Central, Strauss looks forward to reconnecting with the school community and gaining a broader view of its academic and career programs. Among the opportunities he is eager to explore are the school’s career and technical education offerings, including automotive, culinary and cosmetology programs, as well as its Advanced Placement courses, college preparation efforts, varsity athletics and other hallmark aspects of the high school experience.
“When I’m a teacher, and I’m just working amongst it, but when I’m the principal, and I get to really see it, I just get a better view of it,” Strauss said. “I’m excited to sort of see all of that from a bigger perspective.”
Rather than introducing immediate changes, Strauss plans to spend his first months learning the school’s culture, traditions and strengths before considering future initiatives. His priority will be understanding what is already working well and determining how best to support students and staff.
Because many current Central students previously attended Memorial, Strauss will begin his new role with an existing connection to much of the student body and many families. He intends to remain a visible presence throughout the school by spending time in classrooms, hallways and common areas while continuing to build relationships with students and parents. He also plans to hold orientation sessions for juniors and seniors, in addition to the school’s traditional sophomore orientation, to introduce himself to families before the school year begins.
Outside of school, Strauss enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife have two children, including a daughter who teaches social studies and a son who is a student at Hofstra University. He also enjoys reading, cooking, walking his dog, Ozzy, and following basketball as a longtime New York Knicks fan.
For Strauss, the opportunity to lead Central represents a return to the school where his career in education began more than 20 years ago. Drawing on experience gained across multiple roles in the district, he now steps into the position with familiarity with both the school community and the students he has helped guide throughout their educational journey.
