South Huntington: Meet Principal Of Maplewood Intermediate School

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — William Hender was officially welcomed as the principal of Maplewood Intermediate School, the South Huntington Union Free School District shared on Monday.

Hender began his position as Maplewood’s principal on July 1.

Hender knew early on that working with children was what he wanted to do, according to a release from the district. Hender's mother ran a daycare center out of their home, and with the additional experience of tutoring his brother when they were younger, it sparked his initial interest in education.

"Those two pieces plus my love of sports and coaching led to going into education as a logical choice, and it’s something that I’m glad I did," he said via release.

Hender served as camp director at the Ivy League Day Camp in Smithtown, as well as an elementary and middle school level classroom teacher in Kings Park Central Schools. He also served as the varsity head coach at Kings Park High School. Hender was also high school assistant principal and dean of discipline at Western Suffolk BOCES Regional Summer School. Most recently, he served as principal at Eastport Elementary School.

"I think anytime you have an experience, you’re going to learn something from it," he said.

Hender frequently reflects upon his experience and always looks for ways to improve.
Before the end of each day, he said he asks himself, "Did I do today what was in the best interest of all children?"

Hender lives in Commack, where he also grew up. Over the years, he recalls having close relationships with friends who have either been educators or administrators in the South Huntington district. He mentioned that these friends always had wonderful things to say about the district as a whole. He said what drew him to South Huntington was hearing how the district treats everyone like they are part of a family.

"That family piece was something that was very enticing to me," he said. "We’re coming out of a pandemic where the world of education was turned upside down."

He said he wants to be someone who keeps Maplewood moving forward in an upward direction, by being the best that he can be. He will follow this goal by emphasizing what they can do better and what is in the best interest of the students.

Hender, who is very big on communication and having an open door, strongly believes in parent involvement, he said. His mother was a PTA president, along with his wife now.

"I know how important it is to have great volunteers within the district, and to have that support system throughout the school," he said.

Hender also participates in the community in his own way. One of his biggest hobbies is
cooking, in which he owns his own food truck called Bill’s Grill. He purchased the truck for his
dad who, upon retiring, felt inspired and wanted to have a hot dog truck on the side of the road.
The truck’s concept transformed over the years, and Hender still uses it for private events on
the weekends.

"Mr. Hender truly is a man of experience as he is always the first to find a way to contribute to his community in a positive way," the district wrote.