Dr. Caitlin Hale was appointed as the East Islip School District’s new director of art and music in February, and began in March. She replaced Mark Bernard, who had served as interim director this school year after retiring as East Islip High School principal last year.

Dr. Hale came to East Islip from the East Meadow School District, where she served as an assistant principal at Woodland Middle School. She previously worked as East Meadow’s music chairperson and as East Meadow High School choral and theater director.

Dr. Hale, who resides in Dix Hills, attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University, earning the following degrees: Bachelor of Music in voice performance, Bachelor of Music in education, and Master of Music in voice. She received her administrative certificate from Stony Brook University and completed her doctoral work at St. John's University.
 
“I am thrilled to work alongside the talented art and music teachers here in East Islip,” Dr. Hale said. “The support of the community, board of education and district administration have encouraged the programs to thrive, and I look forward to bringing our students opportunities to expand and showcase their skills in the arts.”