Dr. Kate O’Callaghan was appointed as the district’s assistant superintendent for student support services on July 27. O’Callaghan had served for the past six years as Islip’s executive director for student support services.

She had previously worked as the East Islip School District as executive director of pupil personnel services and special education; as a middle school and high school Committee on Special Education chairperson in the Massapequa School District; as a regional transition specialist for Eastern Suffolk BOCES, where she provided professional development and technical assistance to numerous Long Island school districts; and as a special education teacher and early intervention evaluator.

O’Callaghan, a Commack resident, earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Kean University, a master’s degree in special education and a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from Dowling College, and a doctorate in interdisciplinary educational studies from LIU Post.

“My goals for the office of student support services remain the same, to continue to enhance the district’s school partnership and family engagement and to ensure that all students feel safe and secure in an inclusive school environment,” O’Callaghan said.

“Kate is a tremendous asset to our school district,” Superintendent Dennis O’Hara said. “She is passionate and works assiduously on behalf of the students, faculty, staff and families of Islip. I feel most fortunate to have Kate as a colleague and a team member. I am looking forward to September with great excitement and this promotion for Kate is a foreshadowing of more great things to come.”