ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Nelson began his tenure as Principal of North Middle School in August of 2024, taking over for retiring Principal, Dr. Jerry Cozine.  

Mr. Nelson’s career in education spans 21 years as a teacher, school counselor, and building administrator. He served 3 years as a high school social studies teacher in the Sewanhaka and Rye Neck school districts before becoming a school counselor. He served as a middle school counselor for 11 years — including 8 years in the Rye Neck school district and 3 years at Great Neck North Middle School.  Throughout his time  as a teacher and counselor, Mr. Nelson coached football, baseball, and basketball.  He served as assistant principal at North Shore Middle School from July 2018 through August 2023.  In late August of 2023, Mr. Nelson returned to North Middle School, serving as Assistant Principal during the 2023-2024 school year before being appointed as Principal beginning with the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Upon being named the new Principal at North Middle, Mr. Nelson said the following:

“It is with profound gratitude, humility, and excitement that I accept this appointment as principal and servant leader of North Middle. When I returned home here this past August, I dreamed about the possibility of one day leading this great school - and it fills me with a great sense of pride, purpose and dedication to serve our students, staff, and community with energy, humanity, and passion. I am ever-grateful for the invaluable lessons I have learned from Dr. Cozine and Ms. Gunning, whose collective mentorship and guidance has shaped my philosophy of education and my approach to leadership. Together, with our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and engaged community, we will maintain the nurturing environment that exists here - where our young people and adolescents can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We will be committed to providing them with all that they will need to lead not only lives of success, but more importantly lives of significance. I am eager to collaborate with each of you to ensure the growth and well-being of all of our students. Thank you for entrusting me with this awesome responsibility.”  

Mr. Nelson has loved every moment of his 17 years spent working with middle schoolers. He enjoys the relationships that can be built with young people this age, and he values his responsibility to assist them as they navigate this pivotal time in their life and their development as people.  He holds firm to his personal belief that “how children feel is how they learn.”  With that in mind, he endeavors every day to make his students feel seen, heard, and known - not only by their teachers, but by their building principal as well.  As a former history teacher, he loves stories, and he believes that every one of his students and staff has a story to tell in leaving their mark on people and the world.  He loves hearing his students’ stories, and bearing witness to how they continue to write their story every single day.  Mr. Nelson wants his students to use their time at North Middle to discover who they are and what they stand for, and will frequently urge each of them to, “Remember who you are.”  

Mr. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Manhattan College, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. He holds New York State Certifications for School Building Leader, School Counselor, and Secondary Social Studies Education.

When not at North Middle, Mr. Nelson enjoys time spent with his beloved family, traveling, coaching youth baseball, and rooting for the New York Mets, Jets, and Knicks.

Contact Mr. Nelson

Email

Phone: 516-441-4500

August 2024

Dear North Middle School Community,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I extend a warm greeting to all our students, parents, and staff. At North Middle School, we are committed to creating a caring and nurturing learning environment where every student feels valued and supported.

Our mission is to foster a community that not only embraces academic rigor but also emphasizes the importance of strong teaching and personal growth. We believe that education is a journey of discovery, and our dedicated teachers are here to guide and inspire our students every step of the way. Through engaging lessons, innovative teaching methods, and a passion for learning, we strive to challenge our students and help them achieve their full potential.

At North Middle School, we understand that education goes beyond the classroom. We are dedicated to helping our students develop a deep understanding of who they are as individuals and their place in the world. Through various programs and activities, we encourage our students to explore their interests, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to their community. Our goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also empathetic, resilient, and socially responsible.

We take pride in being an inclusive and accepting school where every student feels welcome. We celebrate diversity and strive to create an environment where all students can thrive regardless of their background, identity, or abilities. Every member of our community is important, and we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all.

Middle school is a pivotal time where students begin to discover who they are and what they stand for. As we embark on this journey, I am reminded of the powerful words of Abraham Lincoln: "Whatever you are, be a good one." We encourage our students to embody this mindset in all their endeavors, striving to be the best version of themselves in everything they do. Understanding who they are and being true to themselves is fundamental, and we support them in becoming confident, principled individuals.

I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and parents of North Middle School. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such a dedicated and vibrant community. Together, we can create a supportive network that encourages growth and development for all our students.

As we embark on this new school year, let us embrace the opportunities ahead with enthusiasm, determination, and a collaborative spirit. I am confident that, with our collective efforts, we will make the middle school years memorable and successful for all our students. We aim to impress upon our students the importance of leading not only lives of success but, more importantly, lives of significance.

Thank you for being a part of the North Middle School community. I look forward to working with each of you to create a positive and enriching educational experience.

Warmest regards,

Brendan Nelson
Principal
Richard S. Sherman - Great Neck North Middle School

Nancy Gunning has served as one of NMS’s two assistant principals since September of 2014. However, she has been part of the NMS family since September of 1996 first as an English teacher, and, then, as an English teacher and Dean of Students. Dispersed throughout these years, Ms. Gunning has also served as a track coach and newspaper advisor.

The one thing that Ms. Gunning enjoys the most about middle-school students is their ability to always keep the adults in their life on their toes! She reports that nothing about her job is ever boring, and that every single day, her students bring a sense of wonder, newness, excitement, and humor to her day.

Whether as an English teacher, a track coach, a Dean of Students, or now as an Assistant Principal, Ms. Gunning feels she thrives in helping her students, their parents, and her staff solve problems. Her goal is to always empower middle schoolers to think for themselves and to take healthy risks so that they can learn not only from their successes, but how to get up after a failure.

Ms. Gunning reports that North Middle School is her second family, and, therefore, coming to work is like coming home.

On July 9, the Board of Education appointed Jennifer Booth as one of North Middle’s Assistant Principals.

With 25 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Booth has had the privilege of working with students ranging from kindergarten through 8th grade in various roles.  She has been fortunate to be part of the Great Neck Public Schools for the past 17 years, starting at Saddle Rock Elementary School as a Special Education teacher. Then in 2009 she joined North Middle as a Special Education Teacher and later became Dean of Students in 2017.

Mrs. Booth received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta, a Masters of Science in Special Education for School Age Learners from Adelphi University, and a Post Masters in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook. 

Mrs. Booth is honored and thrilled to join the administrative team.  She is committed to upholding our tradition of academic excellence while providing a nurturing environment that supports students’ academic, social-emotional, and personal growth.

Mr. Paul Reilly began teaching in Great Neck in 2015 as a social studies teacher.  He has taught in Great Neck at both the middle and high school level. He became a dean at North Middle school in 2020. Mr. Reilly received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree from Hofstra University.

Mrs. Christine Sposito began teaching in Great Neck in September 2012 where she has served as math teacher and team leader.  As Dean at North Middle, she is responsible for day-to-day disciplinary events that occur.  Mrs. Sposito received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2010 and her Masters of Art in Teaching Elementary Education and extension in Mathematics in 2011 from Sacred Heart University. In 2018, she earned her Administrative certification from The College of St. Rose.  In her free time, Mrs. Sposito enjoys spending time with her family. During the summer they like taking camping trips to explore different parts of the country. 

Mrs. Zwick began teaching in Great Neck in September 2007 where she served as a teacher of health and physical education. In September 2010 she assumed the role as Health Education Department Chairperson. As Dean of North Middle, she is responsible for day-to-day disciplinary events that occur. Mrs. Zwick received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Hofstra University in 2006 and a Masters of Science in Health Education in 2008 both from Hofstra University. In 2010, she earned her Administrative Certificate from The College of St. Rose. In her free time, Mrs. Zwick enjoys spending time with her family. During the summer she enjoys going to the beach, hiking and traveling the world.