JUNE 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 21
From its start as a one-room schoolhouse
in 1820 to its eight school buildings
teaching more than 7,200 students today,
Freeport Public Schools have gone through
many changes over the years. We recently caught
up with Dr. Kishore Kuncham, the district’s
superintendent, who discussed his school
system’s goals and challenges, as well as why he
pursued a career in education.
uestion: What makes Freeport Public
Schools special?
Answer: Freeport is and has always been
about the value of educating the whole child,
which goes beyond classroom instruction. We
have been innovators of education for many
years. Freeport was the rst school district on
Long Island to o er magnet schools, where
parents have an opportunity to request which
elementary school their children attend.
Freeport was one of the rst districts to o er
pre-k classes. Freeport prides itself on creating
world-class opportunities for our students to
excel and become global leaders. Our increased
graduation rate, student academic success, and
the recognition we have received for programs
in the arts, music and athletics all illustrate the
spirit and dynamic atmosphere that characterize
the Freeport Schools today.
Q: What is the mission of your school
district?
A: To provide a safe and secure environment
for our students and sta , where all children
can embrace learning, become lifelong learners
and be college and career
ready upon graduation. We
are committed to providing
the means for intellectual,
emotional, ethical, social and
physical growth for cultural
and ethnic diversity, which
will assist every student in
becoming an informed and
productive participant in our
democratic society. We want
all students in our schools
to blossom into their full
potential. ey should leave
us as happy, healthy, welleducated,
caring individuals
Freeport Public Schools Superintendent
talks goals, challenges
striving to make the world a
better place.
Q: What is your vision for the
school district?
A: I want to continue to
provide our students and
families with the world-class
opportunities to succeed in
all aspects of their lives. Our
students are encouraged to
challenge themselves to reach
their full potential, embracing critical, creative
thinking and being true problem solvers. I
envision a 100 percent graduation rate with
all our students having taken at least one or
two Advanced Placement courses and all of
them prepared with the life skills and human
values they need to succeed. I view our students
as superheroes, ready to change the world as
caring, competent citizens.
Q: What was it that attracted you to the work
you do?
A: I have always wanted to serve people. I had
childhood ambitions of being a physician, I
instead went into banking. Although a service
industry, I felt something was missing. When I
moved to the U.S. in 1988, I accidentally became
involved in public education and found my
niche as a way to make a meaningful di erence
in the lives of students. Education is the right
place for me to be, combining my management,
nancial, legal and educational degrees and
experiences. I am honored to be the rst Indian
American Superintendent
appointed in New York State.
I have proudly served Freeport
Public Schools students and
families for 24 years, the past
nine years as superintendent.
Q: What is your favorite part
of your job?
A: There is nothing greater
than the happiness brought
by doing work for children. I
enjoy being part of a system that is making a
di erence in the lives of students every day. To
challenge our students and watch them exceed
our expectations and ourish is a joy.
Q: What trends are you seeing in U.S.
education and how are they impacting your
school district?
A: We have been working with virtual and
augmented reality. Our students are creating
digital portfolios, are experiencing virtual
labs and utilizing online collaboration. We
are excited by the trends in technology such
as arti cial intelligence, and look forward to
its use in our classrooms, along with increasing
our use of digital textbooks. Freeport has rolled
out Chromebooks to students and the students
and sta receive daily ongoing professional
development on integrating technology into
instruction. The district’s movement is to
develop students with a focus on an enhanced
technology career path to prepare them for
21st century jobs including so ware developer,
data scientist, statistician and
careers that don’t exist yet.
Custom Computer Specialists
is proud to sponsor Spotlight
LI. Since 1979, Custom has
been dedicated to providing
Long Island’s schools, local
government agencies, health
care facilities and businesses
with advanced technology
solutions and support. To
learn more about Custom
Computer Specialists, or to
be considered for a future
Spotlight LI, please email
info@customtech.com.
Custom Computer Specialists
Right People. Right Results.®
Spotlight Long Island
link
