Joan Keegan has recently been appointed as the Herricks High School principal, effective July 1. Keegan has held numerous administrative roles in the district over the last four decades, including a long-time assistant principal position at the high school and her current post as middle school principal.
While her Herricks career officially began in 1987, Keegan vividly recalls her first experiences at the high school, which occurred during her teen years. As a member of a neighboring district’s track team, she competed in track events held on the very school grounds where she will now serve as head administrator.
“I am so excited,” Keegan said of her new role. “I just love to serve the district. I will already know most of the high school students, parents and staff, so we can really hit the ground running.”
She joined Herricks Middle School as principal in 2010 after holding an assistant principal role at the high school for eight years. Earlier on, she served as the district’s director of physical education, athletics and health. She has additionally coached girls and boys volleyball and girls basketball.
Keegan has been presented with many distinctions that honor her contributions and commitment to the district. She received the Nassau County School Librarians Association Administrator of the Year award, PTA Jenkins Lifetime Award and Honorary Membership in the Music Honor Society. She was selected by the Class of 2000 to deliver their graduation ceremony’s commencement address.
Keegan is already well-versed in the responsibilities she will take on in the next school year. She has developed and implemented policies, procedures, budgets and curriculum, overseen staff members and led administrators, managed and supported various school programs and fostered community relationships.
Specifically, Keegan has seen the middle school through many new and expanded initiatives as technology and other developments have evolved. Under her leadership the library was redesigned, the STEAM lab was developed, the fitness center was created, technology tools such as Chromebooks and iPads were introduced and clubs and activities grew. She spearheaded Project REACH, which has become a cornerstone of the building’s efforts to teach compassion through charity and service. She also brought National History Day to the middle school and was part of an increased participation in math research.
Keegan obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Hofstra University, her Master of Science degree from Lehman College and her Professional Diploma from Long Island University’s C.W. Post Campus. She has been a member of the district’s Ed Leader 21 Team and served as a member of the Ed Leader 21 Performance Bank Assessment Working Group while also attending the Harvard University Principals’ Center and NWEA Fusion training.
“We are confident that Ms. Keegan will bring the same level of professionalism, passion and commitment to her new role as she has demonstrated in the past,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fino Celano. “I am certain that she will lead our National Blue Ribbon High School to even greater levels of success. We wish to thank Dr. James Ruck for his dedicated service to the district over the past two years. He will be working with Ms. Keegan through the end of June to ensure a smooth transition.”
The district will embark upon a search process for a new middle school principal, as well as a permanent Searingtown School principal.
