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Andrew O’Farrell has been the Principal of Beach Street Middle School in West Islip, New York since 2009.
Prior to becoming a principal, Andrew was an assistant principal of Lindenhurst Middle School. Andrew began his journey in education as a Social Studies teacher and then became the Dean of Students at Dyker Heights Intermediate School I.S. 201 in Brooklyn NY. Andrew has been married to his wife Kathy for 20 years and they have three High School/College aged daughters.
During September 2020, his school successfully managed re-entry for students. In this week’s podcast episode, he shares lessons he has learned through a school year like no other, including:
- Collaboration from district, community, teachers, and students that set the tone for planning and re-opening
- Supports and strategic protocols that provided guidance for hybrid learning that soon led to full in-person instruction
- How students have adjusted, remained flexible and showed amazing resilience throughout the school year
- Lessons learned about the power of listening and relationships
In addition, Andrew tells a heart-warming story of student success, and he shares how being a part of a Principal Matters Mastermind has enhanced his own leadership journey.
Listen-in for even more takeaways! You can connect with Andrew O’Farrell at his school’s website http://www.wi.k12.ny.us/schools/beach_street or via Twitter @aofarrella.
