New Principal Of John Glenn H.S. In Elwood Appointed

ELWOOD, NY — Corey McNamara was named the new principal of Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, effective Monday, the Elwood School District announced.

He replaces Carisa Burzynski, who will be the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Babylon School District.

McNamara’s appointment was announced at Elwood’s Sept. 1 board meeting.

He served as John Glenn’s assistant principal since July 2018. He previously worked for 14 years as an assistant principal, dean of students, coach and health educator in the Valley Stream Central High School District.

“My goal as an educator has always been to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where all students can feel connected and comfortable while striving to reach their fullest potential,” McNamara said via news release. “As principal, it is my plan to continue working towards this goal and along the trajectory that we have been on over the past several years in Elwood and at John H. Glenn High School when guiding our students towards being future ready.”

McNamara, a resident of Levittown, earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education at LIU Post, a master’s degree in health education at Hofstra University and his district leadership certification at Stony Brook University.

“Mr. McNamara has met and exceeded all of the qualities necessary to take this next step in his career to serve our high school students and faculty,” Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Bossert said. “He is the best person to assume the role of instructional leader as we continue the ‘race for excellence’ at John Glenn High School.”

Burzynski, the outgoing principal, was honored at the Elwood School District Board of Education’s Sept. 1 meeting, led by Bossert. Her last day in Elwood was Friday.

“Your confidence and trust in me to lead the John Glenn learning community is forever in my heart, and I am very grateful for that,” Burzynski said. “It has been such a rich and rewarding experience for me. My job was made exponentially easier working alongside such a talented and impassioned group of educators, whom I’ve learned so much from. To the faculty, staff, families and students of John H. Glenn High School, thank you for allowing me to come into your lives.”

Bossert congratulated Burzynski and thanked her for her eight years of "dedication, professionalism, excellence and commitment" to the students and staff of the high school and the Elwood community.

“She has most certainly left her mark in a very positive way and her dynamic leadership and contributions to the district won’t soon be forgotten," Bossert said.