Meet Stimson Middle School's 2 New Assistant Principals

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — Stimson Middle School has welcomed two new assistant principals to its administrative team ahead of the upcoming school year.

Tracey Zito and Shalli Lynch officially began their new roles July 1, filling vacancies created by administrators who moved into other district positions or left for new opportunities.

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Zito will serve as the school's main office assistant principal, replacing Elizabeth Keating, who left the district in June. Lynch will serve as the seventh-grade assistant principal, replacing James Tomeo, who has moved into the eighth-grade assistant principal role.

Tomeo succeeds Thomas DeMartinis, who recently accepted an assistant principal position at Walt Whitman High School.

Zito comes to South Huntington from the Bethpage School District, where she spent 13 years teaching English as a New Language, or ENL, at the elementary and secondary levels.

"That bridge between elementary and high school is such a sensitive transitional time for students. I'm eager to be a role model and support system to help guide them through it," Zito said. "As a teacher in one building, my reach was limited to a specific caseload. In an administrative role, I can make a broader impact on a building level, supporting more teachers, students, and families."

She holds certifications in educational administration, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, literacy and childhood education. Zito earned a master's degree in TESOL from Molloy University and in educational administration and supervision from Mercy College.

"Given South Huntington's population and needs, I felt my background in ENL would be a great fit to advocate for students and families facing similar challenges to those I've worked with throughout my career," she said.

Lynch has worked in education since 2005 and brings about two decades of experience in middle school special education to Stimson.

"Middle school has been my entire career. It is such a challenging age," Lynch said. "It's the bridge between childhood and adolescence, pushing them on to bigger and better things. They still need this huge cheering squad, even if they think they're too cool for one. I'm thankful to be a part of that squad."

After beginning her teaching career in Hawaii, Lynch returned to Long Island and joined the South Country School District in 2008.

Lynch holds certifications in childhood education, special education and administration. Lynch earned a bachelor's degree in child study from St. Joseph's College and a master's degree in liberal studies from Stony Brook University.

"I'm so excited and grateful to be here in this district," she said. "My philosophy of bringing joy and excitement into the classroom is the exact same energy I want to bring to Stimson's hallways and all our activities."

The new administrative team has spent the summer planning activities and preparing for students' return, according to the district.

Stimson Principal Michael Duggan, who served on the selection committee, said both administrators stood out for their ability to build relationships with students and families.

"As a parent of two middle schoolers myself, I would want administrators I could go to with any question, and people my children could turn to for support," Duggan said. "We have two caring, loving educators joining our Stimson community who are here for the right reasons. Learning happens through strong relationships, and we have two new administrators who are really great at building them. We're very happy to have them join us."