The East Islip School District recently appointed Amanda Sammarco as director of special education, effective July 1. She replaces Kristen Rea.

Sammarco comes to East Islip from the Middle Country Central School District, where she served for the past year as coordinator of special education/pupil personnel services. In that role, she chaired meetings across various committees, including CPSE and CSE, as well as managed initial eligibility determinations, in-district and out-of-district placements, and annual reviews. She was also responsible for providing professional development to teachers and staff, ensuring they had the tools and knowledge to support diverse learners, and provided districtwide parent counseling and training, empowering families to actively engage in their child’s education and development. She previously worked in Middle Country for a decade as a special education teacher in both the PRAISE and Life Skills programs.

A Manorville resident, Sammarco earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Suffolk County Community College, and her bachelor’s degree in child study, master’s degree in literacy and educational leadership certification in child study from St. Joseph’s College. She also completed several additional courses, including the Applied Behavior Analyst series at Stony Brook University and the Inicial 1A Spanish Language and Culture courses at Universidad de Alicante in Alicante, Spain. 

“As director of special education, my mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student, regardless of their unique challenges, has access to the resources, strategies and opportunities they need to thrive,” Sammarco said. “I am dedicated to empowering educators, collaborating with families and advocating for policies that promote equity, understanding and growth. Together, we can ensure that all students, especially those with special needs, reach their full potential and become confident, capable learners.”