Come fall, a number of new administrators will be found in public schools throughout the Great Neck district. This is the first of several articles to introduce them to the community.

Sharon Fougner will be replacing retiring principal Dr. Joanna Miller at the E.M. Baker Elementary School. She comes to Great Neck from the Bedford Central School District in northern Westchester County, where she served as principal of Bedford Village Elementary School, grades K-5, from 2004-06. Bedford is a richly diverse district, with an outstanding reputation for student achievement at all levels and in multiple areas, including academics, athletics, and the arts.

As principal, Ms. Fougner helped create new initiatives for students, including character-education activities designed to encourage respect and the establishment of an instructional support team to ensure optimum learning for each child. To accomplish the goal of fostering enhanced communication and community service, she collaborated on a project that led to the creation of a school partnership and cultural exchange with the Kugugu Primary School in Rwanda, Africa.

For 14 years, from 1990-2004, Ms. Fougner was employed by the Carle Place (LI) School District, as a principal, enrichment specialist, and classroom teacher. From 1990-99, she was an adjunct instructor at Adelphi University's graduate school of education. Ms. Fougner was president of the Nassau County Elementary School Principals' Association, a test writer for the New York State Education Department, a consultant staff developer for four school districts and the Nassau School Library System, and a frequent conference presenter.

Ms. Fougner received certification in education administration from Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus, a Master of Arts in elementary education from Adelphi University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from LeMoyne College (Syracuse, NY). She is the recipient of a Disney Educator's Grant, a Carle Place Schools Pockets of Excellence in Technology Grant, and an Adelphi University Dean's Award for Outstanding Achievement as a graduate research assistant.

Denise (Desmond) Nolan, though not new to Great Neck, will venture north to become the new principal at the Richard S. Sherman-Great Neck North Middle School. Ms. Nolan has served as the assistant principal at the South Middle School for the last seven years. At South, her responsibilities included supervision and evaluation of teachers, student counseling and discipline, creation of the master schedule for 900 students, administration of all New York State Testing, and scheduling, attendance, and grades.

She has also served on numerous district and school committees, including the Shared Decision Making Committee, Building Curriculum Group, Committee on Special Education, Parent Teacher Association, and the Pupil Personnel Team. Additionally, Ms. Nolan has been a member of the Health and Safety Committee, the Steering Committee for Alternative Education, and Selection Committees for teachers and administrators.

Before coming to Great Neck, she was chairperson of English at H. Frank Carey High School, from 1998-2000. From 1981-88, Ms. Nolan taught English at Floral Park Memorial High School.

She received a Professional Diploma in school district administration from Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus, a Master of Arts in secondary education from Hofstra University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Molloy College. She was the recipient of the Superintendent's Round Forum Award from Long Island University.

Ms. Nolan replaces Barbara Andrews, who is retiring.

David F. Zawatson's new position as district director of athletics, recreation, and physical education was created because of the retirement of Fred Gumm, recreation supervisor, and because of increased emphasis and participation in athletics and physical education in the district. Mr. Zawatson comes to Great Neck from Oceanside, where he has been the director of physical education, health, and athletics since 2000. However, he began his career as a sports professional by playing football for the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons from 1989-92. He also served as assistant football coach at the University of California-Berkeley in 1993-94.

In his director's role in Oceanside, Mr. Zawatson was responsible for the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of the district's physical education and health programs, 76 interscholastic athletic teams, intramural programs, and more than 125 staff positions. He was chairperson of the district-wide Safe and Drug Free School Committee, co-chair of the Superintendent's Task Force on guidance practices, and a member of the Nutrition Committee and Safety Planning Committee. He coordinated the district's AED/Public Access to Defibrillation program.

From 1997-2000, Mr. Zawatson taught physical education in the Oceanside Public Schools and coached various athletic teams, including football, track and field (with three County championships), wrestling, and girls basketball.

Mr. Zawatson received certification in education administration from the College of New Rochelle, a Master of Science in physical education from Hofstra University, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of California-Berkeley.