Port Jefferson Appoints New Elementary School Principal

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Amy Laverty was named principal of Edna Louise Spear Elementary School, the Port Jefferson School District announced Thursday.

She was appointed at the Tuesday board of education meeting and will begin her new role on Jan. 1, 2021, taking over for Thomas Meehan, who is slated to retire at the end of December. Laverty previously served as a pre-K-8 assistant principal in the district.

Before joining the Port Jefferson School District, Laverty had an extensive career in the
Northport-East Northport School District, where she served a dual role as the Summer Reading
Program principal and the instructional curriculum coordinator. Before that, she was a classroom teacher at various elementary levels in the district’s Ocean Avenue Elementary School.

Laverty earned a master of arts in liberal studies from Stony Brook University and a bachelor of arts in child study and students with disabilities from St. Joseph’s College. She holds initial certification in school building leadership and professional certifications in early
childhood/childhood and students with disabilities. She also received an educational leadership advanced certificate from LIU Post.

After an extensive search and interview process, the interview committee and board of education were unanimous in their decision to recommend and appoint Laverty as the elementary school principal.

"We are so pleased to have Mrs. Laverty at the helm of the elementary school," Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan stated via news release. "She has a comprehensive educational
philosophy and possesses the leadership abilities and positive energies that encourage
collaboration among our teachers, students and families. We congratulate her on this new role."