New Assistant Principals Commack Middle School

Commack Middle School welcomes Carrie Lipenholtz  and Dr. Christina Sapienza as new assistant principals.

Mrs. Lipenholtz is a social studies lead teacher who has taught in the District for ten years and a Commack alumnus, Mrs. Lipenholtz is filling the void left by the retirement of Mrs. McKeever.

Mrs. Lipenholtz received her Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from Towson, her Masters from Dowling, and her Educational Leadership certification from Stony Brook University. She plays an active role on many District committees as the chair of the Alumni of Distinction Committee, and School Based Management Committees. Mrs. Lipenholtz has led staff development in content area literacy, instructional technology, and curriculum development. She has taught as a professor at Dowling College, and presented at several Long Island and New York State professional conferences.

“I am eager to continue working with the supportive staff, students, and parents of the Commack School District. I hope to provide the same great opportunities to students that I had when I attended Commack Middle School,”  Mrs. Lipenholtz said.

Mrs. Lipenholtz is married and has two small children. She currently resides in Port Jefferson and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Donald James, feels, “Mrs. Lipenholtz’s limitless energy and innovative spirit will compliment the lively activity level at the middle school. It’s wonderful when former students choose to come home and teach in our schools.”

Dr. Christina Sapienza will complete the middle school team and fill the assistant principal spot left vacant by Paul Schmelter. Dr. Sapienza comes to us from the Oceanside School District, where she served as assistant principal and special education supervisor for six years.

Dr. Sapienza began her career as a special education teacher in resource and self-contained classes at the middle school level in Plainview-Old Bethpage School District after graduating from St. Joseph’s College. Continuing her education with a Masters Degree from C.W. Post, and Administrative Certification from the College of St. Rose, she earned her Doctorate of Education last year from Concordia University in Illinois.

“I am very excited to join the exceptional team of teachers and administrators at Commack Middle School. I look forward to getting to know the
students, their families, teachers, and staff in the Commack School District. I have always had a passion for working with students at the middle level. It is a unique time in their lives where we continue to set high academic standards while balancing the social and emotional needs of our students as they transition from children to young adults,” Dr. Sapienza said.

Dr. Sapienza is originally from Huntington. When it came time to purchase a home, she reflected, “We chose to live in Commack for the strong sense of community and high achieving school district.” Dr. Sapienza is married and has three children. Her husband works as an administrator in the Jericho School District.