New STEM Leader Strives to Foster Innovation

Dr. Nicole Culella, an experienced educator with a background in engineering, has joined the Seaford School District as the new executive director for STEM and instructional technology. The newest member of the central office team brings more than 20 years of service as a teacher and administrator.

Before coming to Seaford, Dr. Culella was in the Mineola School District for nine years as an instructional leader K-12, high school principal and, most recently, district coordinator of career, community and STEAM opportunities. Her educational career began as a math educator in New York City schools on a teaching fellowship and later became the assistant principal of engineering and CTE programs at Brooklyn Technical High School.

Teaching was a second career for Dr. Culella who first worked as a biomedical engineer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cooper Union, a master’s degree in structural engineering from Cooper Union, a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Columbia University, a master’s degree in math education from Pace University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the College of St. Rose and a doctorate in educational leadership from Russell Sage College.

In Seaford, she will oversee several academic programs including computer science, math and science, as well as the elementary LIFT programs. Dr. Culella will also work to support digital learning through her role as the instructional technology leader.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Seaford family,” Dr. Culella said. “This is such a wonderful community that values cultivating a strong foundational education for each and every Seaford Scholar. I look forward to supporting teachers to form the building blocks of knowledge in science, math, computer science and technology skills, to create innovators and lifelong learners.”