Prior to the start of of the new school year, the district named Chad Walerstein as the director of technology, innovation and information systems, a new position reflecting the district’s forward-thinking mindset and commitment to enhancing the use of technology.

Walerstein had served as principal for Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School since 2016. He previously worked as an assistant principal at Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, an assistant principal at Islip Middle School, and an ELA teacher and literacy coach in the William Floyd School District.

A Setauket resident, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in elementary education at Long Island University’s Southampton College, and his post-graduate certificate in educational administration at Stony Brook University.

“I am really happy to have the opportunity to continue in Islip in this new role,” Walerstein said. “I love the community and value the relationships I have built with staff and families alike. I am excited about this new position because I get to build the position from the ground up since it has never existed before. I hope to increase the opportunities for students to use technology tools and applications to individualize their learning experiences and make them more authentic. Learning to use these tools is especially important in our current situation where we have many students who are either fully remote or working in a hybrid model. Moving forward, I would like to see the district undertake a 1:1 device initiative that would provide each student with their own device; this will help students hone their digital literacy skills and make them confident and respectful digital citizens.”