It is not every day that a former student returns to lead at a school she once called her own. Dr. Sheila Dempsey, once a student who walked the halls of LHS, returns as a new assistant principal.

Dempsey’s professional career did not begin in education, but there was a special moment that sparked her interest in the field. When she attended Marist University upon high school graduation, she majored in fashion merchandising. “I designed activewear clothing and swim suits,” she said. Following her studies, Dempsey worked at the Lynbrook Public Pool. While working there, she gave swimming lessons to students. Dempsey explained, “when I worked at the Lynbrook pool, I found that I was passionate about working with kids, which sparked my interest in
pursuing education”. After working in the fashion merchandising field, she decided that she wanted to become a teacher. Dempsey then became a New York City teaching fellow, which enabled her to work in a New York City
school while working on her master’s degree. “I worked in District Six for six years. I taught Living Environment and Environmental Science,” said Dempsey. She then taught in the West Hempstead School District, where she continued to teach science. She recounts her time developing programs within the special education department in West Hempstead. “I created their special education environment like the CDP program here but in West Hempstead.” Dempsey decided to pursue her administration degree to see the impact she could have on students in the classroom. “I was an extended school year principal in the Eastport South Manor School District [in Manorville]. I loved the experience of being an admin,” added Dempsey.

Dempsey’s homecoming has been a long time coming. She said, “I think it was always in my mind a dream to come back to the place that gave me my education.” Principal Matthew Sarosy said that coming back to serve in this specific role was no easy task, as they had over 150 applications for the position. The committee had to go through each resume “looking for expressions and any indication that they would be a good fit,” said Sarosy. He noted that the final applicants went to a screening round, and to a committee round with about 15 people sitting on that panel. Sarosy noted that the committee screened about six applicants, but from there it was clear that “Dr. Dempsey was head and shoulders above the other applicants.” Sarosy discussed what he views as the most challenging part of Dempsey’s new role as assistant principal at LHS: “The hardest part is also the most rewarding, and that is working with students who made bad decisions. You get to be very impactful on them not making that same poor decision again.” He left Dempsey with a piece of advice that Dr. Barbarino gave to him when he started in Dempsey’s role: “[Dr. Barbarino] told me to listen for the first year.”

While the year has just started, Dempsey commented on her favorite part about it so far. “I love working with the staff, particularly working with Mr. Sarosy and Mr. Brescia, and I love walking the halls and seeing the culture of Lynbrook and seeing the continued success of all the Lynbrook students.”

Dempsey reflected on her time as a student in Lynbrook, mentioning that Brescia, her former guidance counselor, now LHS’s other assistant principal, had a profound impact on her. “Mr. Brescia was my guidance counselor, and he was the reason I went to school for fashion. I would see him locally, and it was always nice to have a friendly face.” Brescia reflected on the time he and Dempsey spent together when she was a student: “As a student, Dr. Dempsey was tough, hardworking, and driven to succeed. Nothing has changed, including her smile.” Brescia then reflected personally on what it means to see a student succeed: “[It means] our culture, history, and traditions are strong, and they leave a lasting impact on the students who pass through.”

Dempsey ended with her words of advice for the students of LHS: “Be kind to everyone because you never know down the road the relationships that will lead you to different paths.”