Longtime Walt Whitman Administrator Takes On New South Huntington Role

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — A longtime South Huntington administrator is taking on a new districtwide role focused on science, engineering and research education.

The South Huntington School District has named Dr. Scott Muller its new Supervisor of Science, Engineering, and Research. Muller moves into the position after four years as administrative dean and 16 years as an assistant principal at Walt Whitman High School.

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The appointment also marks a return to Muller's roots in STEM education. Before entering school administration, he spent six years as a classroom science teacher after earning his science degree from Binghamton University.

"I love science," Muller said. "I want more kids at a younger age to be inspired to become scientists, or at least learn more science. The scientific method of observing, making a hypothesis, and testing it is relevant to all areas of life, from buying a house to making decisions. Especially today, with social media and rapid news, we need well-educated citizens who can evaluate information and determine fact from fiction."

In his new role, Muller will lead science, engineering and research instruction across the district from pre-K through 12th grade, with a focus on hands-on learning, curriculum alignment and development, and student mentorship.

"I want to see how the curriculum is aligned across grades so students are prepared when they reach the Regents level needed for graduation," Muller said. "If we want a robust research program, it shouldn't start in 9th grade. One idea is having high school or middle school science teachers visit elementary classrooms to run a fun lesson and get kids excited about science."

At the high school level, Muller said he wants to strengthen the district's four-year independent research program and increase opportunities for students to enter science competitions and earn high-level awards.

He also hopes to build stronger connections between South Huntington students and major Long Island science and research institutions, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University, providing students with mentorship and real-world learning opportunities.

Muller is also looking ahead to NYU Langone Health's proposal for a 500-bed hospital and academic medical center in Melville, which he sees as a potential future resource for South Huntington students.

"I need to reach out to NYU Langone now to make sure our district gets connected at the graduate level," Muller said. "Companies and nonprofits on Long Island want to connect with schools, and one of my goals in this position is to establish those connections to support our students and leave a legacy."

Muller has spent 20 years as an administrator in South Huntington and was named the 2025 New York State Assistant Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State.

While he said he will miss his daily interactions with students at Walt Whitman, Muller reflected on the impact those relationships have had on him throughout his administrative career.

"Many students face personal struggles, but helping them get back on track has been deeply rewarding," Muller said. "A former student recently thanked me for encouraging her when she was struggling, and a parent expressed gratitude for how we supported her daughter during a medical crisis. Moments like that make all the late nights and stress completely worth it. When I transitioned from teaching to administration, it was tough, but learning and growing kept me energized. I feel that same excitement now."