In the same school year when Locust Valley Intermediate will celebrate its 100th anniversary, the community will also welcome its new principal, Dr. Jonathan Zaratin. Dr. Zaratin is a lifelong educator who joins the district after much success in the Hampton Bays school district.
Dr. Zaratin says his mother believed he was going to be a teacher from the time he was in fifth grade, but that was not apparent to him that early in his life. In high school, Dr. Zaratin started noticing the incredible role models his teachers were, especially a math teacher who recognized that he was falling behind in the class and tried to help him not only survive but thrive.
“He really took the time to make sure that I got it, and things really did start to click,” Dr. Zaratin said. “I think me wanting to be a teacher was because of him taking the extra time and the extra steps when I was struggling.”
Dr. Zaratin began his career in education, spending nine years as a first-grade special education teacher. To directly support his district’s expanding ENL (English as a New Language) community, he earned an Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) alongside a master’s degree in literacy from St. John’s University.
Dr. Zaratin also branched out to teach science and started an afterschool club called “Little Wizards,” which became extremely popular for students from grades K-5. After five years of the club, he was approached to build out the district’s STEAM program. For six months, Dr. Zaratin traveled from district to district on the east end of Long Island and attended conferences to learn best practices, then constructed a STEAM program that exists to this day. In 2020, Dr. Zaratin wrote his dissertation about the rigorous process.
“I felt fortunate enough that I was entrusted to do it, and I took a lot of pride in making sure that we were choosing and picking things that were well vetted,” Dr. Zaratin said. “I really wanted to ensure that we were investing in engaging and hands-on materials not only to excite, but to ensure academic success.”
In 2021, Dr. Zaratin jumped at the opportunity to fill the role of leave replacement for the assistant principal at Hampton Bays Middle School. What was expected to be a five-month stay, turned into four incredible years. The leap into administration was made easier because Dr. Zaratin was working with students he had taught in elementary school.
“I had a really strong connection with families and that’s so important to me,” Dr. Zaratin said. “I’m really looking forward to building that here, and I can tell how tight-knit Locust Valley is already.”
Recognized as the 2024 Administrator of the Year by the East End Counseling Association, Dr. Zaratin revolutionized academic scheduling with his innovative ten-day model. By centering the master schedule around student needs, he dismantled access barriers to ensure every student benefits from equitable, high-energy programming and electives.
After nearly a decade shaping young minds and growing with his student body, Locust Valley presented a great opportunity for Dr. Zaratin to advance his career as a full-time principal. He seeks to instill a student-centered approach in his principal-style, knowing that the needs of children are constantly evolving. He hopes to give students as many opportunities as possible to express themselves.
“I really love that Locust Valley has embraced the Leader in Me program,” he said. “I think it really helps to identify the passions that kids have, and it’s not just about being in class because you have to be there, it shows students that they have choice and voice and anything is possible.”
Working with local organizations for field trips and special events for students is a priority for Dr. Zaratin, as it was for him in his prior district, when he brought in experts to help students take part in activities such as rebuilding dunes to prevent erosion.
“Partnering with your local community to bring forth new learning and real-world opportunities for kids was my favorite part of the STEAM program,” Dr. Zaratin said.
Dr. Zaratin is excited to build relationships with the community at the fall fair and back to school night. While things are still quiet in the building for now, he is eager for the energy that the students and faculty will bring in September.
“As a first-year principal, I really want to just embrace Locust Valley and what traditions already exist,” Dr. Zaratin said. “I feel like coming in and being new, you have to be a steward to the tradition that exists already here, and I really want to take that on and learn from my colleagues and the community here what is important to them.”