Welcoming Our New Director of Special Education
Dear North Shore Families, As you may know, the District has been working on a search for the next Director of Special Education for the North Shore Schools for several months. This process involved several steps, including a rigorous screening process, many faculty, parents, and administration committee meetings, and an interview with our Board of Education. Each step involved participation and input from all constituent groups. After this thorough interview process, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Tesfa Stewart was appointed by the Board of Education on July 30, 2025, in a special BOE meeting.
Dr. Tesfa Stewart brings nearly 20 years of experience in K–12 education, with a career that began as a teaching assistant and has grown through every facet of special education, including classroom teaching, program development, compliance, and leadership. He has served as a special education teacher, dean, assistant principal, and assistant director of special education, which has given him a deep understanding of both classroom practice and district-level systems.
With advanced degrees and certifications, focusing on special education compliance, ethics, and school building leadership, Dr. Stewart has a proven track record at driving positive change through cross-functional management across school district systems. Since 2017, he has served as a K-12 special education administrator at the Hastings-On-Hudson School District with expertise in curriculum design tailored to the diverse needs of students of varying abilities, immigration statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, Dr. Stewart has been an adept organizer of districtwide initiatives that support children with disabilities, fostering a continuum of services and maintaining high standards of excellence.
Before his current position at Hastings-On-Hudson, Dr. Stewart also served as the Assistant Principal of the New York City Department of Education – High School of the Arts & Technology, Dean and Special Education Teacher of the New York City Department of Education – High School of the Arts & Technology, and Special Education Teacher at AHRC Middle/High School in Brooklyn, NY.
Throughout his career, Dr. Stewart has worked to expand opportunities for students by developing innovative programs that strengthened enrollment and provided families with high-quality options within their home districts. He has placed a strong emphasis on building trust with families by ensuring they feel confident in the services and supports available locally.
In addition, he has championed student voice and advocacy through initiatives such as the New York State Youth Advisory Panel, the Saturday Academy, restorative practices, and student-led affinity groups, which have contributed to rising graduation and attendance rates.
Dr. Stewart earned his Doctorate in Transformational Leadership from Long Island University, where his research focused on the self-efficacy of educators and its impact on teacher retention, professional growth, and student achievement.
He is guided by the belief that students with disabilities thrive when they are held to high academic expectations, supported with accountability, and surrounded by love and support. His commitment is to help students build self-efficacy by developing the confidence to advocate for themselves, engage fully in their learning, and pursue meaningful postsecondary opportunities. He views teachers as the lifeblood of pedagogy and student support and believes that meaningful progress is only possible in partnership with educators, families, and community organizations, including SEPTA.
Outside of his professional role, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Suhey, and their son, Sebastian. He also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a passion for comic books and reading.
We are all so excited to welcome Dr. Stewart to North Shore. Not only was he the unanimous choice of our interview committees after a month-long search, but his vision,
energy, and dedication to students will help further our mission of empowering all students to discover their dreams. Please help us in welcoming Dr. Tesfa Stewart to the North Shore School District in his new role as Director of Special Education, which will officially begin on August 30th, 2025.
Sincerely, Chris Zublionis, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools