The district welcomes Kate O’Callaghan as its new executive director of pupil personnel services and special education, replacing the retired Barbara Nelson.

O’Callaghan comes to Islip from the East Islip School District, where she held the same administrative role for the past two years. Prior to that, she served as a middle school and high school Committee for Special Education chairperson in the Massapequa School District, and as an administrative coordinator and regional transition specialist for Eastern Suffolk BOCES, where she provided professional development and technical assistance to numerous Long Island school districts. In the classroom, she has worked as a special education teacher and early intervention evaluator.

O’Callaghan holds a B.A. in special education from Kean University, along with a master’s degree in special education and a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from Dowling College.

“Islip is well-known for providing students with an environment of academic excellence with strong community spirit,” said O’Callaghan. “I have begun to settle in to my new surroundings and am looking forward with great anticipation to becoming an integral member of this wonderful school system.” Pledging her commitment to work passionately on behalf of students and families, she said, “My educational philosophy is to provide students with the most comprehensive, challenging and enriching educational experience possible so that they become successful citizens in our community. I will be working closely with the Board of Education, administrative team, teachers, support staff, parents, community and, most importantly, our students so that we achieve this goal.”