Mary Stokkers Embraces
New Challenge
Mary Stokkers has taken on a new challenge this year after being named principal of Woodhull Intermediate School following an elementary grade level reconfiguration in the Huntington School District.
Determined to maintain a positive and uplifting atmosphere around Woodhull, Ms. Stokkers has been working closely with PTA leaders and her faculty colleagues to smooth out any rough edges that might have developed during the transition. Woodhull's enrollment currently stands at 688 fifth and sixth graders.
A set of core goals will help guide Ms. Stokkers through the year. She recently spent time outlining them and has already begun to act upon each one. The principal said she wants to be especially "welcoming to students, parents, staff and the community."
Another of Mrs. Stokkers' goals is to embrace open communication so as to promote the involvement of families in the life of the school. She plans on concentrating on "intentional practices" in teaching and learning and refining a "developmentally appropriate school environment for social and emotional growth."
Two other goals will see Mrs. Stokkers give her "undivided attention to student learning and progress" and work to develop a "love for learning" in each of the youngsters enrolled at Woodhull.
Mrs. Stokkers began her career in September 1975 at the James E. Allen School where she worked as a special education teacher for 4½ years. She later moved to the Cold Spring Harbor school district and was an elementary grade level resource room teacher for seven years.
Ms. Stokkers completed a sixth month school counselor internship in Huntington before assuming the position of Huntington Intermediate School dean of students in September 1996, serving for five years before being named principal in 2001.
A graduate of Cold Spring Harbor High School, Ms. Stokkers obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education at the University of South Florida in 1974. She earned a Master of Arts in special education in 1979 at Long Island University – C.W. Post, where she also received her state certifications as a school counselor and as an administrator in 1996 and 2000, respectively.
During her time in Huntington, Ms. Stokkers has served on numerous school and district committees and been active as a peer mediator trainer, advisor for the Huntington Intermediate student leadership organization and school newspaper, facilitator for the A World of Difference program and member of the Drug Free committee and Violence Prevention Task Force, among other initiatives.
A veteran educator, serving as Woodhull's principal this year might be Mrs. Stokkers' biggest challenge yet.