Southdown Administration
Principal
Michelle Marino has been principal of Southdown Primary School since 2003. A veteran member of Huntington's educational team, she came to the district in 1982 and has 20 years of teaching experience. Known for her infectious energy and enthusiasm, she is an articulate advocate for Southdown's students and programs and is highly regarded throughout the community.
Mrs. Marino graduated in 1979 from Long Island University - C.W. Post College with a bachelor of arts in art education and earned a master of science in elementary education in 1989 from Dowling College, where she also obtained her certification in school administration in 1994. She is certified to teach nursery school through sixth grade, K-12 art and English-as-a-second language (ESL).
During the 1994/95 school year, Mrs. Marino served as principal of the Woodhull Early Childhood Center at a time when that site housed the district's entire kindergarten population. She has also worked as director of the Discovery Program at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts in Wheatley Heights, where she launched a unique hands-on early childhood program with an emphasis on music, art and dance for primary level students.
As a teacher, Mrs. Marino was in demand by students and their parents. The Huntington Foundation awarded her a grant for the development of a student facilitated habitat house and she has been a nominee for the prestigious Disney Teacher of the Year Award and for the New York State Better Beginnings Award.
Powered by Mrs. Marino's leadership and a determined group of teachers and parents, Southdown School won the International Alliance for Invitational Education's prestigious 2010 Inviting Schools Award.
One of Mrs. Marino's well-known strengths is her ability to work collaboratively with members of the school community to create an environment that is educationally stimulating for students.