New assistant principals at Seaford schools

Two new assistant principals join the Seaford School District. Joseph Polite at Seaford Middle School and Rich Schwartz at Seaford Manor Elementary School join the School faculty for the 2023-24 academic year.

Polite comes to Seaford from the East Rockaway School District, where he was the mathematics department chairman for two years, overseeing the program for grades 7 through 12. He held other positions in the district including summer school principal, twilight principal and district enrichment and remediation coordinator.

Before East Rockaway, Polite was a junior high math teacher in Queens.

“I love working in a middle school,” Polite said. “Your job as an assistant principal is to be there for the students, to be a guiding voice. I’m looking forward to meeting the students and getting to know everyone by name.”

Polite said his goal is to establish strong relationships with students, teachers and parents. Working alongside Principal Dan Smith, Polite says he’ll foster student success by creating the best possible school environment. 

Polite holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in mathematics education, both from St. Joseph’s College. Polite also holds a certificate in school building and district leadership from the College of St. Rose. He also serves as an adjunct mathematics professor at the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.

As for Schwartz, he joins the Seaford team from the neighboring Levittown School District, where he taught at the elementary level. During his time as a second and fifth grade teacher at Abbey Lane School, Schwartz was awarded the New York State School Boards Association Champions of Change for Kids award. He spearheaded the “The Schwartzville Project,” a student-driven letter-writing campaign to support people impacted by cancer.

His educational career began as a special education teacher with Eastern Suffolk BOCES.

“The family atmosphere and strong sense of community is what drew me to Seaford,” Schwartz said. “This is a place where people want to give back and want to get involved. I hope to bring an innovative approach as assistant principal of the Manor School, and want to help teachers and students be the best versions of themselves.”

Schwartz holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and history from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in general education and special education from Mercy College and a school building leadership certificate from Molloy University.

Schwartz has served as an elementary enrichment director in both the Levittown and Locust Valley school districts.