Wantagh High School Welcomes New Principal

WANTAGH, NY — A Seaford resident has been named principal of Wantagh High School. Dr. Paul M. Guzzone will become the school's new principal July 1, the Wantagh School District said. Guzzone was appointed by the board of education and Superintendent of Schools John McNamara during a business meeting Thursday. He will replace Carolyn Breivogel, who is retiring.

Guzzone has served as associate principal and director of school counseling in the Oceanside School District. While at Oceanside Schools, Guzzone served as coordinator of special education, supervising the special education program at Castleton High School, an alternative high school.

Guzzone brought a greater focus and purpose to special education support groups and mental health and wellness when it came to social-emotional learning, the district said. He instituted a 10th grade special education course focusing on self- awareness, goal setting and future planning.

He also served on the district’s mental health and wellness task force, implementing a new course, "Redefining Mental Health and Wellness," which focuses on advocacy, mindfulness practices, stigmas and more.

Guzzone is a board member at the Nassau County High School Assistant Principals’ Association and is affiliated with the Nassau County Directors of Guidance. He is also on the Graduate Advisory Council of Long Island University and is affiliated with the Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators.

"We are extremely fortunate to have such a qualified candidate to replace longtime principal Carolyn Breivogel," McNamara said in a statement. "The Board of Education and I look forward to working with Dr. Guzzone in achieving the high school’s instructional goals."

Guzzone holds a doctoral degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in educational leadership, as well as advanced certification in educational leadership from LIU Post. He holds master's degrees in curriculum development and instructional technology, as well as adolescent secondary education, from the State University New York at Albany. Guzzone also received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany in mathematics and in education and business administration.