Principal Appreciation Month is celebrated every year during the month of October. This year, the Red and Black, will be featuring the dedicated and passionate principals who help make our school district the best it can be.
For the second installment of this series, we head to South Ocean Middle School to interview Mr. Piciullo.
Q.1 How long have you been a principal?
This is my eleventh year as Principal of South Ocean Middle School.
Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?
I initially went to college for Business Administration and Information Technology. Working in the business environment I had the opportunity to lead and manage groups of people. After becoming a business and technology teacher, I became interested in applying my previous leadership experience to education and have a larger impact on the entire school community.
Q.3 Who inspired you to pursue education?
As part of one of my responsibilities in my prior career, I was in charge of training new employees. I enjoyed helping people learn and be successful at work. That is when I realized that I had a passion to be an educator.
Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?
There are so many great memories that it is hard to choose one, especially, anytime I am able to help a student or family overcome a challenge. I would say that one of my fondest memories was working with a particular ACES student who had difficulties adjusting to school many years ago and then watching him walk across the stage at high school graduation last year.
Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?
South Ocean Middle School is a small neighborhood community school. It is unique in that it is a Village of Patchogue school. The unique and diverse population of the school makes for a tight knit and supportive community that is special to work with. I enjoy interacting daily with our talented students and amazing staff.