Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wantagh High School Principal Paul Guzzone will travel to Stockholm, Sweden next month, attending the weeklong Nobel Prize Teacher Summit 2025 and sharing his school’s accomplishments with leading educators from around the world.
The annual summit brings together educators from more than 30 countries to meet Nobel laureates, scientists and activists to discuss key issues in education. Guzzone was one of two Long Island administrators chosen to attend the event, hosted by the Nobel Prize Museum, from March 23-29.
“To think that I was one of the two selected from this particular pool is just humbling and exciting,” Guzzone said. “It’s just an awesome feeling.”
His trip is sponsored by EF Educational Tours, which provides global learning experiences for students and educators. Wantagh School District Superintendent John McNamara encouraged him to apply for the summit.
Guzzone said he will approach the opportunity with an open mind, adding that he is excited to learn from other educators and bring some ideas back to the Wantagh district.
“I'm going into this more from a learning perspective than a sharing perspective,” Guzzone said, “because I'm going to be in a location with educators from all over the world who face various obstacles that are different to the obstacles that we face.”
The conference will allow Guzzone to interact with educators from across the globe, following a specific itinerary that will include workshops, school visits and a teacher summit on democracy. While he hopes to learn from educational leaders at the conference, Guzzone noted that he is excited to share some of the programs at Wantagh High School that he is most proud of.
One standout program is the Science Research Academy, which has grown significantly in its second year. Guzzone said enrollment jumped from eight students in its first year to 37 this year, with projections of 50 to 60 students enrolling next year. The program gives students hands-on experience in STEM research, teaching them research skills and data analysis in modern facilities. Guzzone said he is excited to see more students engaging in advanced research opportunities.
“Giving (students) opportunities to explore their passions at a high level is something we're just thrilled about,” Guzzone said.
Guzzone also hopes to highlight the high school’s Freshman Experience Program, which helps ninth graders navigate the transition from middle school by offering guidance in a supportive environment. School counselors, psychologists and social workers teach the class once every six-day cycle, covering topics such as organization, career readiness, social media and college planning. The program gives students access to multiple counselors and a safe space to discuss challenges as they adjust to high school life.
“I think we recognize that the jump from middle school to high school is a big jump,” Guzzone said. “By having a safe space for our students to talk about their experiences with their peers and counselors, it's a great place for kids to kind of get some guidance on where to go for help.”
Guzzone also wants to highlight events that have brought the community together, including the Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K Run. Introduced last year, the race ensures that students never forget the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Held in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, the event helps fund student programs focused on 9/11 education, including the junior class trip to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan.
The run also supports a senior scholarship and a planned 9/11 memorial on school grounds. Proceeds reduce the museum trip’s cost from $110 to $20 per student, making it more accessible. The next visit is scheduled for March 27.
“We have all these doors open for our students to explore the museum and memorial in a first-hand experience,” Guzzone said, “which they've never really had the opportunity to do as part of a school.”
Now in his fifth year as principal, Guzzone was recognized in 2022 as Administrator of the Year by the Nassau Counselors’ Association for his support of the guidance program.
Looking ahead to the conference, he said he is eager to hold discussions with fellow educators and is proud of the opportunity, adding that he will represent Wantagh with professionalism and pride.
“I’m really excited and really honored to have this opportunity,” Guzzone said. “I do think it's probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
