Garden City Schools Hire New Administrators

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Garden City Board of Education appointed two new administrators at its March 23 meeting. Matthew Samuelson will join Garden City Middle School as principal and Connor Cohn will take on the role of assistant principal at Garden City High School.

Samuelson has served as assistant principal at Irvington High School since 2016, and over the past five years has developed curricula, observed faculty members, led student groups, addressed student needs, implemented and designed programs, contributed to the code of conduct and participated in hiring processes, among other duties. He also co-chaired a sub-committee on reopening in the pandemic and designed protocols, created schedules to support in-person and remote learning and maintained a safe environment for students and staff members.

Earlier in his career Samuelson taught English at New Rochelle High School/Albert Leonard Middle School. He holds leadership certifications from Harvard University and Stony Brook University, a Master of Science Degree from Brooklyn College and Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Rochester.

Cohn comes to Garden City from the Dobbs Ferry School District, where he has been a School District and Building Leader Intern since 2018 and a social studies teacher since 2012. He created professional development plans, observed teachers, coordinated exams, helped to establish International Baccalaureate showcase events, facilitated emergency drills, implemented social emotional learning practices, managed student matters, designed schedules and developed curriculum. He also facilitated distance learning in light of COVID-19 and has coached many sports.

A seven-time recipient of the National W!SE: Gold Star Financial Literacy Teacher Award as well as a Dobbs Ferry PTSA Teacher Achievement Award winner and National W!SE: Top 100 Financial Literacy School Award honoree, Cohn holds leadership certifications and is a Google Certified Educator. He earned his Master of Science Degree from Mercy College and Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Union College.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Samuelson and Mr. Cohn,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha. “They both bring strong experience and will be valuable assets to the Middle School, High School and entire district. Our search process was a thorough one that included student input, and I am confident that we chose the candidates best-suited to help our schools and students thrive."