Manetuck Elementary School Names New Principal

WEST ISLIP, NY - Manetuck Elementary School in West Islip recently named its new principal.

Vanessa Williams was officially hired this month, replacing former principal Dawn Morrison.

Williams comes to West Islip from Aquebogue Elementary School, where she had served as assistant principal since 2017.

Before that she worked as a literacy coach and a first and second grade classroom teacher.

A 2014 honoree of the SCOPE Teacher Service Award, she previously taught second grade at PS 9 Ryer Elementary School in the Bronx and second grade summer school in the Hempstead School District.

The Selden resident earned her bachelor’s degree in political science at Winthrop University in South Carolina, a master’s degree in childhood education at Adelphi University, and a project leader dual certification from St. John’s University.

"Thank you to all who have welcomed and embraced me as the new principal of Manetuck," Williams said. "For those I have yet to meet, I look forward to us learning and growing together. The heart of West Islip is evident in the spirit of collaboration and kindness. I am honored to be part of the West Islip team and entering my next phase of leadership at Manetuck."

As principal, Williams plans to keep the valued traditions of the school community while implementing new districtwide initiatives, such as enhancing instruction with the use of Chromebooks and iPads.

"I look forward to growing with the students, families, teachers, staff, administrators and community at large for years to come," she said.

Congratulations to Vanessa Williams!