Seaford Welcomes Trio of New Administrators
Seaford Welcomes Trio of New Administrators
The Seaford School District welcomes three new administrators for the 2026-2027 school year. Dr. Robert Drysielski has taken on the role of Director of Humanities, Frank Cannella is the new Coordinator of Fine and Applied Arts and Dr. Nicole Schimpf is the new Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services PK-8.
As Director of Humanities Dr. Drysielski will oversee the English language arts, social studies, world language and English as a new language programs. He comes to Seaford from the Islip School District, where he was the director of K-12 social studies and business for the past decade. Prior to that, he was at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay for six years, holding various positions including assistant principal of academics, dean of students, summer school principal, English and social studies chairperson, and history teacher. His teaching career began in 2004 as a middle school social studies teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Manhasset.
Dr. Drysielski holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management from St. John’s University, a master’s degree in secondary education, social studies from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Fordham University and doctorate in administration and supervision from St. John’s. He is an adjunct professor at Molloy University and a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the National, New York State and Long Island chapters of the Council for the Social Studies.
“Seaford is a really close-knit community that is very supportive of its students, evidenced by the district’s strong partnerships with local organizations,” Dr. Drysielski said. “In preparing students to be successful along many paths, the district has a strong foundation with the Seaford Scholars Profile. The administrators and teachers are committed to bringing that vision to life, and I am excited to have a hand in that success through the programs I oversee.”
Mr. Cannella, who joins Seaford from the South Huntington School District, has extensive teaching and performance experience. He served as the band director at the Silas Woods Sixth Grade Center for the past 10 years.
As a percussionist in the Henry Mancini Orchestra, Mr. Cannella has performed with Terrence Blanchard, Christine Ebersole, Monica Mancini, John Secada and more. He recorded an original movie soundtrack for “A Change of Heart” with Gloria Estefan in 2016, and performed internationally including in Dublin, Ireland; Bogata, Colombia; Thessaloniki, Greece; and Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Cannella holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in percussion performance from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.
In Seaford, Mr. Cannella will supervise several programs including art, business, family and consumer sciences, music and technology education.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Seaford as the coordinator of fine and applied arts,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside our talented teachers, administrators, students and families to foster creativity, innovation and meaningful learning experiences. The arts have an amazing power to inspire, connect and empower every student. I am eager to build upon Seaford’s long-lasting tradition of excellence while creating new opportunities for students to explore their passions and showcase their talents.”
Dr. Schimpf brings more than 25 years of experience in special education leadership. She most recently was the executive director of special education and pupil personnel services in Cold Spring Harbor Schools for three years, and prior to that was director of special services in Valley Stream District 30 for a dozen years. Her career began as a school psychologist, working with the nonprofit Institute for Student Achievement in Manhasset and assigned to school districts on Long Island and in Westchester.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology from Dowling College, a master’s degree in school psychology from St. John’s University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Manhattanville University. In Seaford, Dr. Schimpf will oversee special education and related services for students in grades pre-K to 8. This position, she said, will allow her to take a more hands-on role with students, teachers, pupil personnel services staff and families. She wants to utilize her broad experience as a leader, which includes starting co-teaching classes and programs for students with autism, to make a meaningful impact.
“Seaford is a very close-knit community that values the whole child,” Dr. Schimpf said. “A focus on social and emotional learning is embedded into the culture here, and the district is well known for its comprehensive special education programs.”
