After four years as Principal at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, Mrs. Christine Austen is moving up to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She will officially begin her new role on Sept. 1.

“I am pleased that Mrs. Austen will continue the district’s move forward in the enhancement of the district’s curriculum and program development,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Casciano said. “This is a natural trajectory for her given the superb supervisory skills, extensive educational background and considerable knowledge of our schools and community she possesses.”

Mrs. Austen was a Library Media Specialist in the Islip School District and the Patchogue-Medford School before joining the staff in Port Jefferson in 1999, where she has worked successfully with educators to integrate new technology and lesson plans into classroom instruction as well as collaborated with the district’s library renovation committee. Austen also served as Assistant Principal, Dean of Students and Technology Integration Specialist in the district before attaining the principal’s position.

She has been instrumental in the district’s recent Armed Forces Tribute and Wall of Fame committees and over her professional career has been a member of the Code of Conduct, Extracurricular Code of Conduct, Professional Development and Technology committees. Austen is also involved in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Jefferson. Under her leadership, the high school received a National Blue Ribbon School award and a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award. She was also honored as a C.W. Post Educator of the Year and as the 2017 Times Beacon Record Person of the Year, and received a SCOPE Administrative Service Award.

Mrs. Austen earned advanced graduate certificates in educational leadership and educational computing from Stony Brook University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She holds a Master of Science in library science from LIU Post. Austen also earned professional certification in school building leadership and school district leadership and has permanent New York State certification as a K-12 library media specialist.