Hewlett-Woodmere Picks New High School Principal

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District has announced a successor to Hewlett High Principal Thomas Russo, who retired at the end of the most recent school year.

Dr. Theodore Fulton, who since 2008 has served as principal of Newfield High School in Middle Country Central School District in Suffolk, will assume the top role at the high school on Sept. 1. His appointment was approved by the board of education at a special meeting on July 31.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools team and becoming a member of this highly respected community,” Fulton said in a release. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with parents, students, and my fellow staff members to continue to provide a high school environment where all students can be successful. Getting to know students on a personal level, and helping to provide opportunities and resources for them to follow their own dreams and aspirations is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of being a high school principal.”

At Newfield, Fulton supervised about 1,700 students and 180 staff members. He instituted a variety of recognition programs promoting student achievement, oversaw the development of building Student Support Teams for students in academic jeopardy and organized and facilitated Middle Country’s “Rise Above the Influence” program designed to educate young people about drugs and alcohol.

Previously, he served as the assistant principal of Seaford High School and the assistant principal of Riverhead Junior High School, each for three years. Fulton began his career at West Babylon Senior High School, where he taught social studies for five years.

He also currently works as an adjunct faculty member at Dowling College, where he teaches curriculum development and educational research courses. Fulton is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Suffolk County High School Principals Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

He earned his doctorate in educational administration from Dowling College; a master’s of science in school administration and supervision and a master of arts in history from Long Island University, C.W. Post; and a bachelor of arts degree in secondary social studies and history for the State University of New York at Cortland. He was named the 2010 Man of the Year by the Middle Country Times and received the SCOPE Administrator Service Award, also in 2010.

“Dr. Fulton is a student-centered instructional leader who, through a thorough process of in-depth interviews, has emerged as the clear choice to serve as the new principal of George W. Hewlett High School,” said Superintendent Dr. Joyce M. Bisso. “He is an experienced professional whose academic and research background, combined with his years as a high school and middle school administrator, will allow him to lead Hewlett High School as a continually evolving 21st century school.”