The Best Part of Principal Brenden Cusack’s Job
Brenden Cusack is in the last three months of his first year as Huntington High School’s principal. Already a familiar face to faculty, students and parents from his three years as assistant principal in the building, the longtime educator has been a constant presence in classrooms, hallways and at school functions.
Mr. Cusack has been the high school principal since July 1, 2015 when he succeeded Dr. Carmela Leonardi. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in education at SUNY New Paltz in 1995 and a Master of Science degree in adolescent education/English 7-12 at CUNY Queens College in 2002. He obtained a professional diploma in school administration and supervision at CUNY-Queens College in 2005.
“I believe the best part of my job is being a part of school life and being around the students,” Mr. Cusack said. “The job of principal is proving to be a demanding position and there are always too many tasks to complete in a day. To me, the most important of those tasks is making sure that I get out and about to see what’s happening in classrooms, hallways and the cafeteria.”
Before coming to Huntington, Mr. Cusack worked as assistant principal at Hicksville High School for three years. Prior to that post, he was an administrative dean at Walt Whitman High School for four years.
Mr. Cusack was an English teacher at Freeport High School for eight years, where he taught Advanced Placement literature and theatre arts, served as a class advisor for four years, chaired the Middle States Committee on Educational Programs and produced school plays.
At Huntington High School, Mr. Cusack is on the front lines throughout the day, visiting classrooms, chatting up faculty members and students, attending events at night and on weekends, often with his wife, Kerry and sons, Seamus and Liam in tow.
Running a high school of nearly 1,500 students is no easy task, but Mr. Cusack takes delight in being the building’s principal. Since coming to Huntington in 2012, he has learned all the ins and outs of the high school and its academic, co-curricular and athletic programs.
“I truly enjoy seeing kids interact with their peers and get the most out of Huntington High School,” said Mr. Cusack when discussing the favorite parts of his position. “It is particularly enjoyable when I can cheer for our Blue Devil teams and congratulate our students for their academic achievements. These are the best parts of being a principal.”
(Senior Emma DeGennaro contributed to this story. She is an intern in the district’s Office of Public Information.)