Birch School Appoints New Assistant Principal

The Merrick School District is welcoming Christopher Hoisik as the Birch School’s new assistant principal.

A familiar face in the district, Hoisik has served the Birch School community for nearly two decades. In December of 1999, he was appointed as a permanent substitute teacher and teaching assistant, where he provided one-to-one social, behavioral and academic support for students with special needs in general education courses, as well as coordinated peer socialization groups for students with social and emotional needs during lunch and recess.

Since 2001, Mr. Hoisik, a resident of Carle Place, has served as a general education teacher for grades 3-5, a position in which he has developed and facilitated challenging curricula that incorporates problem-solving, creative thinking, technology, engineering, STEM activities and cross-curricular activities, as well as met and exceeded Common Core learning standards and objectives. He has also planned and implemented specially designed instruction, aligned with Common Core standards, for students with special needs.

While teaching, Hoisik also served as an administrative intern at Birch for one year. As intern, he assisted with the implementation of the New York State testing program at the school, which included scheduling, training and making testing modifications for students with special needs, as well as supported administrators and teachers in student behavior intervention.

Outside of his academic duties, Hoisik has volunteered on various district committees, including serving as coordinator for the Healthy and Safety, Friendship and STEM Day committees.

Hoisik holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in psychology from Adelphi University, as well as a Master of Arts in school building and district administration from the College of New Rochelle.

Photo: Merrick School District.