New and Familiar Faces at Fort Salonga Elementary School

This fall at former assistant principal Stephanie Montecalvo will officially take on the role of principal with some support from a newly hired assistant principal.

Hillary Bromberg was recently hired to take the place of Montecalvo. Bromberg will split her time between and Fort Salonga. Montecalvo takes the place of long time principal,

This is Bromberg's first administration job. Prior to coming to Fort Salonga, Bromberg worked in the Hicksville Public School District for five years and taught kindergarten, first and sixth grade. Bromberg, who lives in East Meadow, also spent two years teaching sixth and seventh grade in a private school in Brooklyn.

"I am very excited for what I believe will be a wonderful school year," said Bromberg.

Montecalvo served as assistant principal at Fort Salonga for five years and was a teacher for 15 years, the majority of that time in Kings Park, her hometown.

"I grew up here. I love the community, when I saw the opening, I snatched it," said Montecalvo who began her career here as a teacher in an alternative high school program. "I loved it, phenomenal program."

Photography, drawing, painting and cartooning are also on the new principal's resume, having been a teacher of the arts as well. She decided to get her administrative degree and then a position opened up at Fort Salonga as assistant principal.

"It was the best decision I ever made. I loved teaching, but I saw the impact and how much change I could make and I really enjoy working with parents," said Montecalvo. "I am a good mediator and enjoy problem solving. I felt useful."

Montecalvo said she has "huge shoes to fill" replacing the person she called her mentor, former principal Arlene Mullin, but is looking forward to the start of the new school year.

"It almost feels like you are coming home," said Montecalvo. "It is such a good place to be."

Read Stephanie Montecalvo's welcome letter to students, which can be found in our photo section of this article.

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