Meet #11: The First Woman Appointed To Seaford HS Principal Post

SEAFORD, NY — The first woman has been appointed to take the helm of Seaford High School as its principal, school district officials announced Friday.

The Seaford School District’s Board of Education recently tapped Assistant Principal Nicole Schnabel to take up her new post on July 1, according to a news release. She will replace Scott Bersin, who will become an assistant superintendent in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, after nine years at the high school, according to a news release from the school district.

Schnabel was an English teacher for 11 years at her alma mater, Massapequa High School, where she helped develop a broadcasting program and a college essay workshop that were recognized as “Programs of Excellence” by the state’s English Council, school district officials said.

She took up her post with the Seaford School District in 2017.

As an assistant principal, Schnabel has served as liaison to the art, English and math departments, chaired the school safety committee and led the instructional support team with fellow assistant principal, Jennifer Bisulca, according to school district officials.

Schnabel has been involved in the planning of many activities, including the Curriculum Fair, which showcases the high school’s academic program, and the “Choose Your Future” Fair, an exhibit of post-secondary options as alternatives to college, district officials said.

Schnabel said that every project at the high school is done collaboratively, from creating the master schedule to expanding course opportunities for students.

“We bring students, teachers and staff into almost every project, because their voices often lead to some of the best ideas,” she said.

Schabel established a social media presence, launching the @seafordhspride Instagram and Twitter accounts to enhance the school’s connection with the community, according to school district officials. She was the liaison to the Class of 2020, working with seniors, class advisers and administrators to plan last year’s graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic, school district officials said, adding, “Four ceremonies were held on the school’s front lawn last August.”

Schnabel has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in English education from New York University, as well as school building and district leadership certifications from Stony Brook University. She is also a member of the Nassau County High School Assistant Principals’ Association’s executive board.

Superintendent Adele Pecora called Schnabel a cerebral and talented educator, a kind person and someone who brings “that little extra flair” to the school. One aspect of Schnabel’s tenure as assistant principal that stands out was her ability to keep students connected to the school during the shutdown at the beginning of the pandemic, and her continuous desire to involve students in planning for various events, Pecora said.

“Ms. Schnabel is passionate about creating an optimal learning environment for our students and is going to do a fabulous job as our new building principal,” Pecora said, adding, “She has a vision for how we’re going to provide enhanced opportunities for all of our students, and will continue the traditions established by Mr. Bersin. Seaford Pride is going to reign even stronger.”

Schnabel said she is looking forward to continuing her work at the school, which she described as having a “talented team of teachers, as well as an active and engaged student body.”

She plans to focus on continuing to expand academic opportunities for students, new college planning initiatives and social and emotional learning, the latter of which, she says, is an important priority with the challenges students have faced in the last year.

“I truly respect the traditions of Seaford High School,” Schnabel said, adding, “We are a big family and the community is very supportive. The school is in a great place because of the hard work of so many. I want to use the energy that already exists to create new and exciting opportunities for students.”