Sitting in his new office around a conference table, Scott Bersin is enthusiastic and a bit humbled by as principal at .
An assistant principal in the district for three years, Bersin says he’s already known in the community, but he’s excited to make a greater impact in Seaford.
“I want to do all we can to push students to challenge themselves in more rigorous and different ways,” he said, “whether it’s taking a more advanced class, getting involved in a challenging academic club or going out for sports teams. It’s all about encouraging students to do more and giving them the confidence to do what they believe they cannot, because the more they do, the more they learn.”
To accomplish this goal, Bersin said, it takes teamwork.
“We at Seaford High School are committed to working as a team, from teachers, administrators, students and parents; we all must continue to work together to drive success,” he said. “I hope to be known as a supportive principal to everyone in the building and in the community. Someone that students, parents and faculty members know they can turn to when they are encountering difficulty. My door is always open and I am always accessible by email and by phone."
Also topping Bersin's priorities is a three-year plan with the guidance department to enhance communication with students and families on the overwhelming college application process.
“The process is always changing and we want to make it as clear and stress-free as possible for our students to be successful in their post-graduation pursuits,” Bersin said.
A lawyer turned educator, Bersin said once he started teaching he never looked back. Captain of the Baseball team at his undergraduate alma mater, Binghamton University, he brought his athletic skills to Great Neck North High School, where he coached girls varsity basketball and and baseball while teaching Social Studies for nine years. He became Assistant Principal in 2005 and three years later took a principal position in the Blind Brook-Rye Public School District. A year later, he joined the Seaford School District.
Outside of his profession, Bersin is family-centered and continues to enjoy sports. His wife, Eva and three children Shayne, 9, Emily, 7, and Sam, 4, inspire him the most, he said. But the words of his grandfather are what help shape his character and guide him in his career, “We should not be judged on how we handle good times; the easy times. We should judge ourselves on how we come through difficult times.”
“We have a great school population here in Seaford,” Bersin added. And, I am happy to work with two talented assistant principals, Ms. Carisa Burzynski and newly hired Mr. Anthony Allison, who comes to Seaford from the highly regarded Christ the King High School in Queens where he was an assistant principal. Together, we are looking forward to raising the bar on student achievement and supporting the overall success of our students at Seaford High School.”
