Rebecca Carfora’s path to becoming the new principal of Landing Elementary School began long before she entered a classroom as a teacher.
Growing up in Bayville, Carfora found inspiration in teachers who made reading and writing meaningful to her, as well as in an early experience tutoring a younger student who was being bullied and struggling emotionally.
“One of the things that he looked forward to every week was the tutoring that I did with him and that relationship that I established with him,” Carfora said.
Now, after 19 years in education, including a decade working in the Glen Cove City School District, Carfora is preparing to lead a school she already knows well.
The district announced Carfora’s appointment as Landing’s new principal this summer. Carfora, who will turn 43 on Aug. 26, spent the past three years as an instructional literacy coach working across Landing and Connolly elementary schools.
“I’m just so grateful for this opportunity, and I’m so excited and eager to step in and to help shape the culture and to support the teachers, students, and families,” Carfora said.
Carfora attended Bayville Primary School, Bayville Intermediate School and Locust Valley High School before heading to the University of North Texas, where she majored in English and minored in secondary education. She later spent about a year substitute teaching on Maui before returning to New York.
She taught ELA for nine years in New York City, working with middle school students in South Jamaica, Queens. Carfora then joined Glen Cove, teaching eighth-grade English at R.M. Finley Middle School for seven years.
Her move into instructional coaching allowed her to work directly with educators, analyzing student data and helping teachers develop instructional strategies. Carfora said the role involved supporting both veteran educators trying new approaches and newer teachers developing their classroom practices.
“Overall, it’s supporting the teachers and ensuring that they feel confident in growing professionally,” she said.
Carfora said working under the leadership of coordinator Kristen Schaefer during her first year as an instructional coach motivated her to continue her own education. She graduated from Russell Sage College in May 2026 after completing advanced studies in instructional leadership.
As principal, Carfora said one of her priorities will be creating a strong sense of belonging at Landing.
“One of the things in my vision that I really hold the most dear to my heart in this moment in time is building a culture of positive morale,” she said, adding that she wants students to feel connected to adults in the building and to feel safe and welcomed.
Strengthening relationships with families will also be a focus. Carfora plans to hold “Coffee with the Principal” gatherings and wants parents involved in school celebrations and other events.
Superintendent Alexa Doeschner said Carfora’s familiarity with the school and experience within the district will be assets in her new position.
“She already knows Landing Elementary, the building’s people and its culture, and I am confident she has the heart and the vision to help our students and staff keep growing,” Doeschner said.
Carfora also wants teachers to have a voice in Landing’s development, including opportunities to learn from one another through professional development and classroom visits.
“At the end of the day, I feel like my vision, the one thing that I feel like I will always come back to, is doing what is best for children and ensuring that my decisions are student-centered,” Carfora said.
