The Westhampton Beach School District Board of Education has appointed Jason Cohen as its new director of health, physical education and athletics, effective July 5, and Marykate Hill as the new elementary and middle school assistant principal, effective July 1.

“We are pleased to announce these two new appointments,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carolyn Probst. “They both bring a wealth of experience to our district, and we look forward to welcoming them into our Hurricane family.”

Cohen, of West Islip, has served as the assistant principal of Islip Middle School since 2019. Prior to this role, he worked in the Islip School District as a physical education teacher, athletic trainer and summer administrator. Earlier in his career, he was an athletic trainer in the South Huntington Union Free School District, an assistant athletic trainer at Molloy College and a student athletic trainer at Hofstra University, where he also earned the school’s Athletic Trainer of the Year award.

Cohen holds a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Hofstra University, a Master of Arts in physical education from Adelphi University and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University.

“I am thrilled and honored to be joining the Westhampton Beach family as the new director of health, physical education and athletics,” Cohen said. “I find this opportunity so remarkable because Westhampton Beach is a small, tight-knit community, rich in history and tradition, that places strong emphasis on academic and athletic excellence. Being able to work with educators, coaches, staff, parents and students with the unified goal of continued growth and success is very exciting.”

Hill, of Islip Terrace, joins Westhampton Beach from the Baldwin Union Free School District, where she has been an ENL and special education teacher at Baldwin Middle School since 2015. She also served as a leadership intern at the building and district levels in Baldwin during the last two years. She previously worked as a special education teacher at P.S. 048 PO Michael J. Buczek and at St. Spyridon Parochial School, both in Manhattan.

Hill holds a Bachelor of Science in education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Science/TESOL from Touro College, and advanced certification in school building and school district leadership from the New York Institute of Technology.

“I am beyond excited for my appointment as the district’s new assistant principal,” Hill said. “Great schools are a result of great teachers, and I look forward to collaborating with the administrative team and teachers at both the elementary and middle school.” She added, “The Westhampton Beach School District is truly a special place to be, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be here.”

Date Added: 6/14/2022