A New Principal at POB Middle School

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education has appointed Kerry Farrell as principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. She was promoted from her role as assistant principal of POB Middle School, which she had held for the past five years.

“My parents always held education in high regard and instilled the importance of education in my sisters and me,” Ms. Farrell said. “I had wonderful teachers growing up and always knew I would be a teacher one day. There is nothing better than being a role model to students and seeing that lightbulb moment in their eyes when you teach them something new.”

Ms. Farrell received her bachelor’s in education administration from LIU Post and her master’s in education from Queens College. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher at PS/IS 266 in Bellerose, Queens. There, she began her transition to administrative roles by becoming a literacy coach, helping her colleagues on how to best meet goals in the classroom. From there, she moved on to become assistant principal at the school.

“My experience as a literacy coach honed my skills at building relationships with teachers and sharing best practices,” Ms. Farrell said. “The trusting relationships I built made the transition to assistant principal easier.”

From PS/IS 266, Ms. Farrell came to the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District as assistant principal of POB Middle School, where she would need to make new connections with staff, students and families alike.

“My first goal was to build those relationships with the teachers and community,” she recounted. “The trusting relationships create a positive environment for students. The students are always at the forefront of my efforts.”

At POB Middle School, Ms. Farrell said she was and continues to be struck by the commitment that staff, families and administrators have shown toward the children’s wellbeing.

“The community here truly values being a partner with us,” Ms. Farrell said. “The dedication that our families, staff and Board of Education have shown toward helping our students be the best they can be is amazing.”

“Ms. Farrell has already long been an invaluable part of our District community, and I know she will continue the work of putting our students first in her new role,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary O’Meara said. “Our students and staff at POBMS will continue to thrive under Ms. Farrell’s leadership.”

Looking forward, Ms. Farrell said she wants to continue the work she has been doing all along.

“I want to keep nurturing the relationships that I have with our parents, students and staff, and continue our mission of creating civic-minded students that feel a sense of belonging in our school,” she said. “I am excited to gain more input from families and to have more time to sit with them and engage them in continuing to build a student-driven environment. There are some amazing things happening in this District, and I cannot wait for more people to see them.”

For more information about the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pobschools.org. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pobschools/.