Q&A with Scott Muller ’10Ed.D., New York State Assistant Principal of the Year

Scott Muller ’10Ed.D, Assistant Principal at Walt Whitman High School in the South Huntington School District, was named the 2025 New York State Assistant Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). A graduate of The School of Education, Dr. Muller is scheduled to be presented with his award at a special ceremony in Albany, NY, on May 2.

What does receiving this award mean to you, and how will you use this recognition to enhance your impact on students and the educational community?

Receiving the high school Assistant Principal of the Year award is such an honor. In order to be selected, I had to be nominated by someone who recognized my hard work. In addition, I had to get recommendations from four different individuals: another administrator, a teacher, a parent, and a student. It warms my heart to think that those four were able to write responses to questions that made me stand out among the rest. It is nice to know I have had a positive impact on many facets of the educational community. 

The process of being nominated and then being given the award has forced me to reflect upon my career, focusing not only on the great things that have happened already, but also on things that I still want to achieve. So often we get caught up with the day-to-day and we forget to deeply reflect on ourselves and what we do.

How has your St. John’s education shaped your core beliefs about teaching, and how do these beliefs reflect in your classroom practices?

Faculty in The School of Education helped me to think deeply about educational systems and the reasons behind what we do. We often exist within systems and do not question them. We do what works, but there are times when we can improve. There is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to something as important as educating the whole child. I am so fortunate to work in the South Huntington School District, as the culture is to question and come up with ways to improve existing structures and systems.

What is the most significant challenge you have faced as a teacher, and how did you overcome it to positively influence your students’ learning?

The most significant challenge that I have faced as an administrator is time management. There are always so many tasks that need to be completed, from checking the numerous emails that arrive daily in my inbox to being in the hallways during passing times, interacting with students to build relationships. There is always something more that can be done, yet I know a balance between my work and personal worlds ensures that I will be able to sustain my work and show up each day with a positive attitude for the entire educational community. 

I always tell friends and family members that what educators do is different from other professions. For some, such as people in the financial sector, they work to create more money for their bosses or investors. I explain to those close to me that educators create the future. Not only must we create a safe learning environment for our students—one in which they can take risks and try new things—but we also create a space in which parents feel safe sending their children. What a gift to be able to complete this work and make a difference in other people’s lives!

What advice would you offer to a new teacher just starting their career?

To a new teacher or administrator, I would offer the advice to learn, learn, learn. Read journal articles and books that may provide insight and strategies that will lead to student success. Find a person who can be a mentor, someone to whom you can turn for advice. Ask questions of lots of people, as each teacher or administrator must find their own “voice,” and that only comes through a little trial and error. Find time for what brings you joy outside of work, as that will help to revitalize you so that you are strong and ready for your students. 

Know that this is going to be difficult, as you will be faced with challenges you could never predict, but also know that all of us as educators have gone through those trying times and have survived. The work you do is greatly needed and valued. You make a difference on a daily basis. Remember that your words have a lot of power, so be sure to use them to build up your students.