New Administrators Join Valley Stream Central High School District

VALLEY STREAM, NY — Valley Stream Central High School District will have a pair of new administrators in its ranks this coming school year, as the district announced Fabian Jara and Shelida Lee would be taking over as Principal and Assistant Principal at Memorial Junior High, effective July 1.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Jara and Ms. Lee to their new leadership roles at Memorial Junior High School," Valley Stream Superintendent Dr. Wayne Loper said. "Both have dedicated years to the students and families in the Valley Stream Central High School District, and have shown deep care and professionalism in their roles. We are confident that Memorial will remain in good hands under their watch."

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Jara has been in the district for his entire career, serving as assistant principal at Valley Stream North High School since 2021 and having previous experience as the school’s Dean of Students, Dignity For All Students (DASA) coordinator and a 16-year tenure as a Spanish teacher. As for his education, Jara is a St. John’s graduate with a Master of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, in addition to state certifications as a school building leader and district level leader and an LIU Post professional diploma in educational administration and supervision.

Lee, meanwhile, has been in the district for the past six years as a special educator, currently serving as an Administrative Intern at Memorial. In that role, district officials said she has been part of the organizing team for seventh graders’ orientation and led the school’s effort to be redesignated as a National School to Watch.

“Ms. Lee is known for her collaborative, student-centered leadership approach and her commitment to restorative practices and culturally responsive-sustaining education paradigms, and teacher mentorship,” the district said.

Lee is also a St. John’s graduate, with a Master of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Sociology, in addition to an LIU Post educational leadership certificate that she’s currently pursuing.