New Lynbrook South Middle School principal aims to create student connections

New Lynbrook South Middle School Principal Joseph Wiener said he is enthusiastic for the new school year to start on Sept. 5 because he connects with students on many levels and is anxious to get to know them.

“That’s the beauty of young adolescence, is that there’s so many ways to relate to them,” he said. “I play video games. I like to cook. I like to fish. I like to listen to music and I have a lot of varied interests that I always use to connect with kids.”

Wiener was appointed the new principal during the district’s May 15 budget meeting, replacing Caryn Blum, who retired. At the June 13 Board of Education meeting, he was officially introduced, and he began the role on July 1.

The Merrick resident has spent the past 11 years serving as assistant principal at Jericho Middle School. Before that, he taught biology at Benjamin Cardozo High School, in Bayside, Queens, for three years and at Jericho High School for seven years. He said his time as Jericho assistant principal prepared him well for the Lynbrook job.

Wiener graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Tufts University, in Massachusetts, after double majoring in biology and English. He earned two master’s degrees, one in literacy from Long Island University, and another in school administration and supervision from Touro College and University System, in New York City.

Wiener said he has spent the summer learning about the programs that are in place, the classes that are offered at the school and the curriculum that has been developed.

“The school has a sparkling reputation,” he said. “So, I think that a lot of really wonderful things are happening here and I just want to build on those successes.”

He added that he has also been busily preparing for student arrival, while also settling in, getting acclimated with district officials and administrators and learning his way around the neighborhood.

Wiener said his top priorities are to prepare for a smooth opening on Sept. 5 and familiarizing himself with his new community. He noted that he already feels a strong sense of community in Lynbrook and a commitment to high-quality education.

Speaking about the arrival of Wiener and new Waverly Park Elementary School Principal Allison Banhazl, Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak said district officials are excited to welcome them on board.

“We are looking forward to having both of them on the Lynbrook team as we work together to provide our students with a nurturing, yet enriching, school experience,” she wrote in an email to the Herald.

Wiener said he is excited to work with the students because at the middle school level, he finds there is an interesting dichotomy between getting older and not wanting assistance, but also needing some guidance.

“It’s about knowing when to intervene and assist them and when to take a step back and let them soar on their own,” he said. “Those are really the most interesting parts of the job for me.”