A New Principal for POBJFKHS

Starting this summer, Dr. Heather Dvorak will become the new principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. She replaces James Murray, who is retiring after 20 years with the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District.

“I have always been drawn to education, and I have always loved mentoring,” Dr. Dvorak said. “In the secondary level, so much of what the students are learning will shape their first steps into adulthood. I look forward to helping Plainview’s students take those first steps.”

Dr. Heather Dvorak comes to POBJFKHS from Mineola High School, where she served as assistant principal for the past eight years. Her focus at Mineola was overseeing curriculum instruction, and she shepherded a number of programs and initiatives at the school. Her efforts include the implementation of asynchronous learning, a 1:1 iPad initiative and a redesign of curriculum to be more integrated across disciplines. “I’ve touched every aspect of high school life,” Dr. Dvorak said.

Her career in in education began as a teacher in the New York City public school system, where she took part in the city’s small schools initiative. The plan involved the breaking up of larger schools into new, smaller, ones allowing Dr. Dvorak to manage the development of new programs and new school infrastructure in various, quasi-administrative roles. “Opening a new school allows you to have a bird’s eye view of how a school is run,” she said. “I enjoy being part of planning the entire experience a student might have in a school. I enjoy observing the impact of various initiatives, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and going in and modifying them when necessary.”

As a school administrator, Dr. Heather Dvorak said her goal is to maintain authentic learning experiences for students and ensure what they learn in the classroom is applicable to life outside the building.

Mr. Murray came to POBJFKHS in 2003 as an assistant principal, becoming principal of the school in the 2005-2006 school year. His highlights include the school’s numerous student research awards, the move to a nine-period day, and various building and grounds improvements. The culmination of those efforts, he said, was POBJFKHS’ designation as a national Blue Ribbon School in the 2020-2021 school year. In particular, Murray said he prided himself on building relationships with the students, learning their names and making sure they are not afraid to come to him when they need help.

Mr. Murray’s advice to Dr. Dvorak is to spend her initial time at the school making connections with the staff and various stakeholders while learning the ins-and-outs of the school.

“I have no doubt she’s going to be successful,” he said. “She understands the community, and she understands the importance of being a good listener, being reflective and getting the input of all of your stakeholders. Once she spends the time building those relationships she will be able to make changes and put her stamp on the school.”

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/.