Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Wantagh School District has added two new administrators to help expand its growing STEM programs, bringing extensive classroom and leadership experience to the community.
Jessica Ryan joins the district as supervisor of elementary STEM, while Christine Gill will serve as director of STEM for grades six through 12.
Ryan said she was drawn to the district’s commitment to student growth, noting that the administrative team works to ensure that teachers and students have the resources they need to inspire learners to think critically as engineers and mathematicians.
“I'm really excited to be part of this team that really honors teacher knowledge and helps to promote growth in their instruction,” Ryan said. “There’s an overarching vision of meeting the needs of the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally — and really making sure they’re real-world-ready.”
Gill, who will oversee secondary science, technology, engineering and math programs, said she was excited about the challenges ahead. She hopes to meet the needs of students with a wide range of abilities, personalities and interests, while making the educational experience enjoyable for all of them.
“In a school district, there are so many key players that lead to the success of the student,” Gill said. “Our teachers are on the front line, but our administrators are giving them the tools they need to bring every student success.”
Ryan brings experience both in the classroom and in training fellow educators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and math from Molloy College, now Molloy University, in 2007, followed by a master’s in elementary education in 2009 and a doctorate in educational leadership for diverse learning communities in 2023. She also holds certifications in school building and district leadership, and co-authored the book “Growing a Growth Mindset: Unlocking Character Strengths through Children’s Literature.”
After finishing her undergraduate degree, Ryan spent 18 years teaching fourth grade in the Lynbrook School District, and since 2013, she has been an adjunct professor at Molloy, teaching courses in professional development.
“It’s really important that our teachers are exposed to research-based professional development so that they can help inspire learners,” she said.
Her goals in the district include building relationships with stakeholders, introducing research-based practices to teachers and advancing STEM programs.
Gill earned a degree in mathematics from the University of Scranton in 2010 and a master’s in secondary education the following year. She is a member of both the Association of Mathematics Supervisors of Long Island and the New York State Association of Mathematics Supervisors.
Gill has 14 years of experience as an educator, most recently as the director of math and business in the Deer Park School District. She began her career as a high school math teacher in Brooklyn in 2011, moved to Southampton High School in 2014 as a math teacher and curriculum liaison, and then, starting in 2018, spent seven years in Deer Park.
She added that her experience as both a teacher and an administrator had prepared her for her role in Wantagh. Working in administration helped her understand how to support teachers and students, and teaching, she said, gave her a firsthand appreciation for the guidance and resources administrators provide.
“I’m a big proponent for supporting people,” Gill said. “As a teacher, it was always so helpful to have people in administration in your corner to help you be as successful as you can be.”
Gill said that Wantagh’s expanding STEM program was what drew her to the district. She is excited to work with students and teachers in computer science, robotics, Project Lead the Way — a hands-on, project-based program that develops real-world STEM skills — and the Science Research Academy, a four-year program in which students conduct experiments in biology, chemistry and genetics and prepare their work for science competitions.
In Wantagh, Gill hopes to expand the computer science department and increase student participation in AP computer science courses, as well as introductory coding and cybersecurity classes.
“There’s a lot of innovation going on in the scientific world right now, with shifts in standards and instruction,” Gill said. “I'm eager to support the teachers and the students as we navigate those changes together.”
Ryan said she hoped students would become lifelong learners, just as she is. “I’ve never stopped taking classes,” she said. “Learning new things is so important, and I want that to be a trajectory for both our students and our teachers.”
