Trustees Grant Asst. Superintendent Tenure
Dr. Kenneth A. Card, Jr. is known for his smile and sense of humor. The hardworking educator has been an essential member of the Huntington School District's central office team for the past three years.
During this past Monday night's Huntington School Board meeting, trustees granted the veteran tenure as the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, effective August 25.
In this rapidly changing era of education, Dr. Card has worked hard to keep Huntington well-positioned as it moves forward with plans to improve the academic performance of all students in every school building. He collaborates daily with Superintendent James W. Polansky as the pair works with department and building leaders to spur enhanced teaching and learning across the spectrum of disciplines.
"Dr. Card is committed to addressing the needs of every learner and to ensuring that instructional programs are planned and implemented in a manner that promotes articulation and communication among K-12 staff members," Mr. Polansky said. "His authoritative approach has earned him the respect of all with whom he works. He is an avid reader and researcher, which translates to a wealth of educational ideas and his ability to constructively evaluate staff and programs. He is a lifelong learner who is always looking to improve his practice."
Dr. Card was elevated to his central office position in August 2009. He earlier served as principal of Woodhull Intermediate School since July 2005. The educator began his career as a social studies teacher.
A May 2006 graduate of Dowling College's doctoral program in educational administration, leadership and technology, Dr. Card earlier attended Stony Brook University where he earned a bachelor of arts Summa Cum Laude in 1997 and a master of arts in 2000, both in history. He obtained a professional diploma in school administration at Dowling in 2002.
Before coming to Huntington, Dr. Card worked as assistant principal at Oldfield Middle School in the Harborfields school district for three years and worked in the Uniondale alternative school, Western Suffolk BOCES summer school program, Brentwood's evening high school and at Harborfields High School, where he taught from 1998-2002. He is an appointed member of the Farmingdale State College Council, which meets with college officials about continuing operations and programs and new initiatives.
Dr. Card's prior experience includes serving his country in the United States Navy from 1982 to 1989. He was awarded the Navy Achievement and Good Conduct medals. He has also worked at the Industrial Bank of Japan, the Department of Veterans Administration Medical Center in Northport and as an administrative assistant at Alliant Techsystems in San Diego, CA.
Dr. Card's plans for 2012/13 include:
• Continue to implement Common Core Learning Standards; provide teachers with professional development opportunities.
• Capacity building at the elementary level; build upon teacher's skills to deliver math and literacy instruction through a strong professional development program that focuses on fluency, comprehension and vocabulary instruction.
• Work with the district director of math and testing to pilot a math text that is appropriately aligned to the CCLS in math.
• Develop partnerships with local agencies that will benefit students academically and socially.
• Monitor and review implementation of Response to Intervention model to ensure fidelity.
• Work with the chairperson of instructional technology to ensure integration of technology in classrooms throughout the district.
• Seek opportunities to establish partnerships with local colleges and universities that will benefit teaching staff and students.
• Continue the work started in 2011 to strengthen the district shared decision-making committee.
Dr. Card's doctoral dissertation at Dowling College was titled "Secondary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Important and Existing Classroom Observation Practices that Promote Instructional Improvement."
In his free time, Dr. Card enjoys traveling, socializing with family and friends and reading, especially books on politics and history.