Two new assistant principals are joining the administrative team at Walt Whitman High School as we head into the new school year. 

Mr. Thomas DeMartinis transitions to Whitman as the Assistant Principal for the 9th Grade after serving as the 8th Grade Assistant Principal at Stimson Middle School. In a special full-circle moment, Mr. DeMartinis is moving up to the high school right alongside his former 8th graders, and he looks forward to helping them smoothly navigate the exciting move to high school.

Mr. DeMartinis began his education career more than ten years ago at the high school level as a Social Studies teacher, covering subjects such as US History and Government, Global History, Contemporary Social Issues, and News Literacy. He holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University at Buffalo, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Stony Brook University, and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Long Island University. 

Ms. Danielle Rodrigues, the new 11th Grade Assistant Principal, is a familiar and welcome face in the hallways of Walt Whitman High School. A dedicated educator at Whitman since 2011, she has served as an ENL (English as a New Language) life science and biology teacher. She has also been an assistant coach for both our varsity and JV flag football teams. Ms. Rodrigues stepped into school leadership earlier this year during her first administrative appointment as Assistant Principal for South Huntington’s new summer school program. 

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Syracuse University in 2006, Ms. Rodrigues initially pursued a corporate career. However, positions in a pharmaceutical department and an engineering firm made her realize she was not making the meaningful impact she desired. She then pursued graduate studies in education, earning a Master of Science in Adolescence Education with a concentration in Biology from LIU Post. 

We spoke with both educators about their new roles. Quotes have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Q&A 

What are you most looking forward to as you move into this new role?
Mr. DeMartinis: “This opportunity to move to the high school as an assistant principal presented itself as very unique because not only do I get to go back to my roots as a high school educator, but I get to do it while knowing two of the grades that are going to be in the high school at the same time. It’s incredibly special because I got to see them as 7th and 8th graders, and now I get to watch as they continue to grow throughout their high school years, something that I had become very accustomed to throughout my time as a high school teacher.”
Ms. Rodrigues:  “I'm so excited about it because I'm at a stage in my career where I want to have a broader influence and support people. Now I get to help an entire grade level, their parents, the whole community, my staff, and my admin team. I get to be a positive influence and support for people to find their calling or make positive progress in their lives. To me, that's everything-the community you build, no matter whether it's on a sports team, in your classroom, in a grade level, or across the whole building. That community exists at Whitman, and now I get to be part of that and continue to support it.”

How does your prior experience in the district prepare you for this new leadership position?
Mr. DeMartinis:  “My goal and role is to merge in, bring the skillset I've developed at Stimson, and keep that team mentality first and foremost. When we do that, the students see it, the community feels it, and they become part of that team and broader culture. As a classroom teacher, while I got to talk about social studies for 40 minutes, I would make sure a few of those minutes were spent talking with my students about the things that make them tick, the things that make them really excited to come to school and to learn. Being able to have deep relationships with students and their families, and to offer meaningful recommendations as they move through high school and beyond, has a lasting impact.”
Ms. Rodrigues:  “Going from being a teacher at Whitman for 15 years to now transitioning into a leadership position was on my mind first and foremost. I know it will come with challenges because this is new, and I welcome that. People know me and how dedicated I am to the community, the students, the families, and my colleagues. I know a lot of the inner workings. I'm not going to have to come in and learn the culture. I know what our families need and what our community is about. My students know I am invested in them as people. I want to help them find their potential and reach expectations they didn’t think they were capable of.”

What do you enjoy about working with students at the high school level?
Mr. DeMartinis:  “They’re a little bit more social, they're a little bit more outgoing, they're a little bit more sure of their likes and dislikes. At the high school level, students are really starting to find themselves. They're starting to find their interests, they're starting to find their passions, they're starting to have more and new exciting opportunities to explore those passions and interests, whether it's extracurriculars, intramurals, clubs, or sports. What Whitman does incredibly well is find avenues for students to engage outside of the core curriculum. And that to me is special. I haven't seen that anywhere else.”
Ms. Rodrigues:  “It's a great time because that's when you start to see students' perspectives change. They start maturing and thinking about their future, whether it's college, a trade, taking over a family business, or building their own families. They start to realize they're almost at the finish line and look to take advantage of available supports. I'm excited to see the growth that happens in 11th grade when they transition and build excitement leading into senior year. I feel very lucky to be put into this grade level.”

What makes South Huntington special or unique for you?
Mr. DeMartinis:  “It's the community, first and foremost. I cannot express how much I've come to know and appreciate and respect the students and, therefore, the community around those students. Diversity is one of our defining strengths. With the challenges that come from navigating diverse interests and diverse norms, there is strength that's forged from that. There’s just so much going on in all our schools for everyone to be involved in. I knew coming in that this was going to be a really strong part of this school in this community. I can't say enough about the people who make up this school district. It's second to none.”
Ms. Rodrigues:  “This is where I’ve spent my whole career. This is where I learned what education is about. And I’ve learned what the needs and expectations of a community, of a building, of the district are. It’s a very special place. It’s a beautiful place. It’s diversity - economically, socially, ethnically, in every way. And being able to speak Spanish, I can support and connect with even more families.”

What do you want your students and their families to know about you?
Mr. DeMartinis:  “From day one of this coming school year, I will know a lot of the students in two of the grades in the high school from my time with them in 7th and 8th grades, and now I want to take it upon myself to know all of the grades at Whitman, get to know every student and know what they care about inside and outside the classroom. It’s all about building the relationships and getting them to understand that they are valued, that they are cared about, and that their contributions could have an amazing impact on the world.”
Ms. Rodrigues:  “My door and phone line are always open. Supporting you is my ultimate goal, whether it's the most successful student or one who struggles. I am here for the conversations, the smiles, the tears, the hugs, and the hard conversations. We are a family. If I can bring peace, ease the transition, or help things go better for families, I'm here for all of it. Across my desk will come some of the greatest and most challenging cases, but connecting on this level to help families find their path, and help students find happiness and success in life, is my ultimate goal.”