Jennifer Gielarowski has been promoted to the position of Principal of Nassau BOCES Children’s Readiness Center, a highly structured learning environment for students with autism spectrum disorders. Ms. Gielarowski advanced into the position after serving four years as assistant Principal of Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School, a high-quality, individualized learning environment designed for students with learning and behavioral challenges.
Jennifer Gielarowski has worked with special needs students for over eighteen years. The first eleven years as a special education teacher for NYC’s School of Performing Arts and Technology, Ms. Gielarowski: helped to develop, supervise, and implement IEPs; worked with the response to intervention team to develop educational improvement strategies; and piloted several after-school programs.
From there, Ms. Gielarowski joined the New York City school system as an administrative intern at Helen M. Marshall School, where she partnered with teachers and school counselors to execute individualized behavior interventions IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) for children. She worked with the school-based support team, the committee on special education, coordinated important schoolwide events, and provided professional development to staff and parents on a multitude of content including curriculum and strategies to support student growth.
Helen M. Marshall School administrators soon recognized Ms. Gielarowski’s potential and transitioned her as an IEP (Individualized Education Program) coordinator, in which capacity she developed professional learning communities to analyze student data and designed professional development programs to improve instruction. She helped to coordinate state and local assessments, led the building response team, coached, mentored teachers, and developed and implemented applied behavioral analysis strategies for students with autism.
In 2019, Ms. Gielarowski joined Nassau BOCES Jerusalem Avenue School as Assistant Principal, where she has been overseeing all daily operations for the past four years. Her performance as AP has been so impressive that she was the natural choice for Principal of the Children’s Readiness Center.
Ms. Gielarowski holds a master’s degree in childhood and special education from Queens College at the City University of New York, and a bachelor’s degree in art therapy from Long Island University. She also holds certification in school-based and school district leadership from The College of St. Rose: CITE Campus, as well as New York State Certification in childhood education and as a teacher of students with disabilities.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse student populations, fostering inclusive environments and empowering students to reach their fullest potential,” Ms. Gielarowski said. “As Principal, I plan to build upon the center’s foundation of excellence. There is a sense of family here. We will continue to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow.”
Posted 8/30/2023
