Jack Breen, a leader with decades of special and alternative education experience, is now the new acting principal of the Dutchess BOCES Alternative High School.
“I’m passionate about working with youngsters who need support. It is what I am and how I feel,” said the seasoned education veteran.
Breen is working in partnership with Denise Djikowski, the executive director of special and alternative education and Maureen Salka, assistant principal of the Alternative High School, to ensure students have all the support they need to finish the school year strong.
During his career in education, Breen has held a variety of teaching positions and served as the director of education and principal of Andrus Orchard School, a private school providing special educational services and treatment services in Yonkers. Through that experience, he became familiar with BOCES programs in that area.
Though he had retired as a teacher from Saugerties, he was recommended for the position, visited the campus and liked what he saw.
“From my past experience, I saw the range of what BOCES is capable of providing,” he said, adding that he is also familiar with the challenges associated with building and moving into a new building, having faced a similar situation while at Andrus. “This is an opportunity to reinvigorate the Alternative High School with some good people who are committed to doing that,” he said.
Breen has been with BOCES for about three weeks and is immersed in looking at behavioral and curriculum issues with a focus on making sure students, staff and visitors feel safe and their needs are being met.
He is always looking to connect with the students, often offering a Jolly Rancher during a conversation, and poking his head into a classroom to see what is going on – especially if he hears students making music.
“It’s an honor to be here. It’s an exciting program with a gorgeous building and wonderful people. I am glad to be a piece of it,” he said.
The appointment is effective through June 30, 2023.
