Seaford schools bid farewell to longtime principals

The Seaford School District will enter a new chapter as two longtime principals — who came to the district around the same time — are preparing to say goodbye to a school community that has filled them with lasting memories.

Deborah Emmerich, principal at Seaford Manor Elementary School, and Dan Smith, principal at Seaford Middle School, are set to leave their positions next month.

Emmerich arrived in the school district in 2006, when she became the assistant principal for both Harbor and Manor elementary schools. The following year, she became the assistant principal at Seaford Harbor Elementary School, and in 2010 she took over as Manor principal.

For Emmerich, serving as an administrator for the Seaford elementary schools was an honor and a privilege.

“It’s really the greatest joy of my life — besides my children, grandchildren and family,” Emmerich said. “I just love it so much, and I’m really going to be missing it.”

Smith’s career in education began 34 years ago when he first taught in Queens before working in the Glen Cove School District as an English teacher.

Like Emmerich, Smith came to Seaford in 2006, serving as the assistant principal at Seaford High School. Four years later, he was appointed principal of the middle school. Smith said his experience as both a student and a teacher helped him throughout his career.

“I always felt like trying to remember what it’s like to be a student made me a better teacher,” Smith said, “and then trying to remember what it’s like to be a teacher made me a better administrator.”

Smith described his time at the middle School as “a wild ride,” which he’ll miss. He added that he’s proud of the school’s accomplishments during his tenure, such as being named a “New York State School to Watch” in 2024. The designation comes from the National Forum, a nonprofit educators’ association dedicated to improving education and school-based support for middle-grade students.

Smith said the accomplishment was a milestone in his career and a moment he’ll look back on to cherish.

“It’s nice to be recognized for that unique part of education, the middle school years, because it’s definitely a unique time in education,” Smith said. “Everyone always knows elementary and high school, but the middle school years, there’s a lot of growth that happens during those three or four years, depending on your profession.”

According to Emmerich, her career in education hinged on a missed kick. She recalled being outside with some friends in a Phys Ed class while she was a student at SUNY Cortland in the 1980s. During a blizzard and with her nose running, she saw a soccer ball and a goal and then turned to a friend behind her and said, “If I don’t get it in this time, I’m switching to elementary education tomorrow.”

Emmerich missed the shot, and the next day, she switched to elementary education. While she said the kick was meant as a joke, that moment changed the trajectory of her career.

Her parents were both physical education teachers, and she had considered taking the same career route.

“I just figured that was my path, but I always did have elementary school in my heart,” she said.

During her tenure as Manor principal, Emmerich said she’s proud of the staff she hired. She estimated that she had hired around 27 faculty members at the Manor school, with the three main qualities she looks for in a teacher — passion, enthusiasm and motivation.

“I’m not too concerned about experience,” Emmerich said, “because if they have those other things, they can be shaped into a phenomenal teacher.”

Emmerich added that she is also proud of her work with the Social and Emotional Learning initiatives that she has implemented. Students, she said, need healthy minds to learn, and she has been involved with carrying out several learning initiatives — such as Growth Mindset, Habits of Mind, and Seaford Scholars — which all help make sure students’ voices are heard. These initiatives led the Manor and Harbor schools to be named Habits of Mind Schools of Excellence in 2021 — a proud moment for her.

“You can’t really teach academics if a child is not at their best socially and emotionally, so that comes first and foremost,” she said. “And once we can have that foundation, then we can build upon that.”

After leaving the middle school, Smith said he will still be involved in education. In September, he’s set to instruct teacher preparation courses at Molloy College as an adjunct professor, while continuing as an adjunct at Stony Brook University, teaching administrative courses.

“I’ll keep myself busy in education,” Smith said. “I love the discourse and working with people who want to become a teacher or who want to become an administrator, so I’ll continue doing that.”

Emmerich, meanwhile, said she is savoring her last days as Manor principal. She hasn’t looked ahead, but has a passion to assist teachers, with thoughts of becoming a student-teaching supervisor.

Taking over the role of Middle School principal will be Raphi Morey, who spent the last three years as assistant principal of Seaford High School. Joann Krudis will join the district as the new principal at the Manor school, bringing 20 years of experience with her as a New York City educator.

As advice to their successors, both Smith and Emmerich agreed that it’s important to let the teachers continue what they’re doing and to let the students continue to laugh and smile.

“Don’t change anything,” Emmerich said. “Go through this year and just see all the wonderful things that happen in the school before thinking about making any changes.”

“Whoever gets this position should get their feet under them and learn how the place works,” Smith said. “Appreciate what we have, and then think about what needs to be tweaked.”

Emmerich’s last day as Manor principal is Aug. 1, while Smith’s is Aug. 15. Smith said he loves the Seaford community and is thankful for the faculty and families he has worked with over the years.

“It’s still a little bit surreal right now,” Smith said, “but I’m sure that as time goes on, I’m going to say, ‘Wait a minute, what happened?’ But I’m just very, very thankful for everything that the district afforded me.”