Marie Netto joins H. Frank Carey High leadership as new assistant principal

Marie Netto joined the Sewanhaka school district, as an assistant principal at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square, on Sept. 25.

Netto worked in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District from 2002 to 2022, as an English teacher, English department chair and assistant principal. She was a principal in the Harborfields Central School District from 2022 until this August.

During her tenure in Bellmore-Merrick, Netto was involved in adult and peer mentoring programs, addressed social and mental health concerns, spearheaded programs and activities to reduce chronic absenteeism and helped create the district’s broadcasting program.

She also organized the charitable initiative Chop Your Locks for Charity,” which combines hair donations and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation annual fundraiser to benefit people struggling with a cancer diagnosis.

“If there is interest in bringing any of my past experiences to Carey High School, of course I would love to help successfully build that opportunity,” Netto wrote in an email to the Herald. “What I think is most important as I start my career at H. Frank Carey is to get an understanding of what the students at Carey want and need and then work with the district and building administrative teams to help create those experiences.”

Netto earned a degree in English literature from Binghamton University in 2001, a master’s in secondary English education from Hofstra University in 2002, a master’s in school leadership from Touro College in 2008 and a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from St. John’s University in 2020.

From a young age, she said, she was always enthralled by education.

“I was the youngest of three, so I always remember wanting to play school with anyone who would entertain me,” Netto told the Herald.

Throughout college, she worked at summer BOCES programs — an experience she described as “impactful.” However, it was when her niece was born with special needs that Netto decided that she wanted to “help students learn and navigate their young lives.”

As an educator for 22 years, she said she loves working with students. Helping build the next generation of leaders, she added, is something she feels proud to be a part of every day.

Throughout her career, Netto has had many rewarding experiences.

“I would have to say the ones that have been most meaningful are the times when I have helped a young person work through a challenging time, and then I have the great privilege of watching the student walk proudly across the stage at graduation,” she said. “The smiles and hugs are so special.”

The new assistant principal joins a team of leaders who take pride in helping students succeed.

“As a building leader, every day there are challenges our students face — from a new student trying to find their way around the building to any of the more profound challenges our young people have to deal with,” Netto said. “What I value most is being able to stand alongside these students and their families to help them get through whatever difficulty arises.”

As an educator, she believes that building strong, solid relationships is crucial to fostering student success.

“Of course, the delivery of content and varying instructional strategies are also important,” she said, “but when an educator can connect with a student, the possibilities for students’ success are boundless.”

With a few weeks under her belt at Carey High, Netto said she has appreciated the community’s gracious welcome. “I immediately feel like I’ve been able to make some great connections,” she said, “and I am so excited to be a part of this school family.”