The Wantagh School District welcomes a pair of seasoned educators to oversee its elementary curriculum. Dr. Tracy Pignetti is the new elementary supervisor for humanities and Dr. Jessica Ryan serves as the elementary supervisor for STEM.

Together, they will work with teachers and building administrators at Forest Lake, Mandalay and Wantagh elementary schools. Dr. Pignetti will supervise English language arts and social studies instruction, with Dr. Ryan coordinating curriculum for science, technology, engineering and math.

Dr. Pignetti brings more than 20 years of experience to Wantagh. Most recently, she was an elementary assistant principal in Lindenhurst, and prior to that, served as a K-5 curriculum coordinator in Northport-East Northport Schools. A veteran of the classroom, Dr. Pignetti was a kindergarten teacher in Garden City for seven years, and taught several different grade levels as well as English as a New Language during a 12-year stint in Islip.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Joseph’s College, a master’s degree in elementary education from LIU Post and a doctorate in teaching, learning and technology from Hofstra University. Her goal is to work with Wantagh’s elementary educators to advance literacy and social studies instruction.

“I’m hoping to spend a long time here and look forward to getting to know everybody,” Dr. Pignetti said. “I want to support teachers in supporting students to become better readers, writers and citizens.”

Dr. Ryan spent the past 18 years as a fourth grade teacher at Waverly Park Elementary School in Lynbrook. She is also an adjunct professor at Molloy University in the education department and also provides professional development workshops for teachers. A regular presenter at its “How to Make Math Count” conferences, Dr. Ryan is a past recipient of the Teacher of the Year award from Nassau County Teachers of Mathematics.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics, a master’s degree in elementary education, building and district leadership certificates and a doctorate in educational leadership for diverse learning communities, all from Molloy. In Wantagh, she is excited to support teachers to cultivate engaging, hands-on learning environments for students that focus on real-world situations and problems.

“Wantagh is a special place where the administrators and teachers are so invested in their students,” Dr. Ryan said. “I would like to continue to drive professional development to foster that love of learning.”