Soffientini to retire from F.S. schools

Julie Soffientini, the Franklin Square Union Free School District’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, recently announced that she will be retiring from the district, effective June. 30. She has served the district for 32 years, in various positions.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in anthropology from Queens College, Soffientini obtained a Master of Science in education — with additional certification and specialization in reading and literacy — from Fordham University. She also obtained advanced certificates from Adelphi and Hofstra universities.

She began working in the F.S. district in 1970 as a substitute classroom and reading teacher, and then taught as a pre-Kindergarten teacher for two years, before teaching sixth and first grade classes at Washington Street School.

In the early 1980s, Soffientini implemented the district’s first computer instructional program, beginning with a classroom of 25 computers that moved through three schools every three months.

She also developed a computer curriculum and taught computer skills to students in all grade levels, and was instrumental in the implementation of computer labs for each school. By the 1990s, it was clear that one of Soffientini’s strong suits was technological education. After serving as a technology coordinator, she was appointed in 1997 as assistant to the superintendent — a position that transitioned into her current role only a few years later.

“I am most proud of the role I have played in providing teachers with the knowledge, skills and materials to meet the ever-changing New York State standards and initiatives,” Soffientini said. “ I always felt that I played a part in giving all students an enriched learning environment — with great teachers and highly effective instruction that engaged students.”

On Dec. 7, the district’s Board of Directors appointed Maura Gallagher, the district’s director of special education, to take over Soffientini’s position on July 1. According to Soffientini, the district is in the process of finding a replacement for Gallagher.

Soffientini said that she will be returning to the district as a consultant for the 2012-13 school year, assisting Gallagher as she develops skills in her new job. She’ll also be providing ongoing staff development to teachers in the new Common Core Standards in English language arts and math.

“My new role will allow me to spend time assisting teachers as we prepare students for the rigorous new curriculum and testing programs,” she said, adding that she’s excited to begin “the next chapter in her career,” working with teachers and administrators as a consultant, to help prepare the district’s students for new challenges.