Amid the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when uncertainty prevailed throughout Long Island schools, Dr. Sharon Dungee took the reins of the Central Islip School District in stride when she became superintendent.

“It scared everybody away,” said Dungee. “But it did not scare me away—we still had stuff we had to do!”

As the first woman to serve as superintendent of the Central Islip School District, Dr. Dungee brings more than a pioneering spirit to the role—she brings a steadfast vision rooted in equity, excellence, and empowerment.

A robust range of academic programs, student support services, and strategic capital investments have been implemented under Dr. Dungee’s leadership, each thoughtfully aligned with the needs of a diverse and dynamic student population.

Among the most popular initiatives is the Elementary Summer Enrichment Program, which bridges the academic gap between the end of one school year and the start of another. The program has yielded measurable growth in student achievement and has become a summer staple. Simultaneously, summer offerings for students with special needs ensure that all learners remain engaged and supported year-round.

Dr. Dungee not only encourages students to pursue excellence in their academic journeys; she holds the same standards for herself. She recently received her doctorate in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities from Molloy University, and her passion for education has been a constant in her life.

“My dad always reminded me that I used to line up my dolls in the basement and write with chalk on the walls to ‘teach’ them,” Dungee recalled fondly.

Under her leadership, Central Islip continues to expand access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including innovative additions like AP African American History and a new science course with a creative twist. Students also benefit from college-credit bearing partnerships, most notably with Farmingdale State College, helping them prepare for post-secondary success while still in high school.

To ensure no student is left behind, the district provides Academic Intervention Services, supports unique leadership initiatives like My Brother’s Keeper, and fosters mentorship through groups such as Women 2 Women and Men of the Future.

The district’s well-rounded approach is evident in its award-winning music department, with the high school Concert Choir earning the honor of performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the White House, and placing top honors at the Disney Music Festival. This year also marked the inauguration of the Science National Honor Society, further showcasing the district’s dedication to academic rigor.

Perhaps the most heartwarming initiative implemented by Dr. Dungee are the student council roundtables. Dr. Dungee meets with student council representatives from each grade multiple times a year. The students and superintendent discuss what they would like to see change and what they would like to see continue in their schools.

The roundtables have produced incredible results.

Kindergartners have been given new and improved crayons, and high school students have seen the conditions of their bathrooms improve. Yoga was brought in for elementary students after a fourth-grade representative complained of stress, and dozens of board games were given for elementary students to use during recess in the winter.

“We had one building where the kids were concerned that the food wasn’t cultural. Kids come from so many different countries in Central Islip. One kid wanted empanadas, one kid wanted jerk chicken. Everything is on the menu now,” shared Dr. Dungee. “All these things are important to them. I feel if students are happy coming to school and they feel their needs are being met, their attitude changes, they have a better demeanor, and their self-esteem is enhanced.”

As a reward for helping to improve their school environments, all of the student representatives were able to pick a location to have a field trip. The students enjoyed a day of fun at Dave and Busters.

The district continues to foster school pride and invest in its future through ongoing capital improvements: new playgrounds, upgraded HVAC systems, a fresh brick façade on school buildings, newly paved parking lots and walkways, upgraded softball fields, as well as new purple and gold lockers at the middle and high schools.

“We are really making the place something that students can look up to, look forward to going to every day, and feel a sense of pride in their school community,” said Dr. Dungee.

Reflecting on her historic appointment, Dr. Dungee acknowledges the significance of her leadership.

“Being the first woman superintendent means paving a path for the future—showing young women they can achieve their goals by staying focused, working hard, and leading with tenacity.”

There is an adage in education that even if a former student does not remember the details of a lesson you taught, they will always remember how you made them feel. So as the current superintendent, what does Dr. Dungee hope her legacy will be?

She hopes the Central Islip School District will continue her legacy of promoting kindness, respect, and enhanced, cutting-edge programs.

“Communities like Central Islip do not always get a fair shake and I feel that education is probably going to be one of their only keys to get out from under,” explained Dr. Dungee. “And so the focus should remain on education, kindness, helping one another, and I hope that programs continue to enhance and that no one just sits at the wheel.”