Valley Stream District 30 is pleased to announce that Christopher Onorato was recently appointed as the new director of technology and 21st century learning, effective July 1. He will be replacing Susan Rodriguez who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Mr. Onorato is no stranger to District 30. He has been a teacher at Forest Road School for the past eight years where he has proved himself to be a strong leader and educator who is highly respected by his peers. Mr. Onorato served as a sixth grade teacher at Forest Road before transitioning to a new role as the school’s Math Academic Intervention and Science Specialist.

With a passion to see all students succeed, he has demonstrated his leadership abilities in the district through his involvement in several committees, hands-on work with data and instruction and through the positive relationships he has established with his colleagues.

“He has been an excellent example of a teacher who knows how to integrate technology into the curriculum,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling. “He has played a role on the technology committee, he has done professional development with our staff in regards to technology and he is a learner and is well-respected by our staff, as well as the school community.”

In addition, Mr. Onorato was an asset to the district during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a support contact for teachers as they navigated the hybrid and remote instructional models for the first time.

“Mr. Onorato has been an incredible resource in terms of technology at the Forest Road School since he arrived,” said Forest Road Principal Erin Malone. “He was a teacher who opened up his classroom to teach his peers and he invited people from different schools to come in and see what was taking place. Last spring when we were out of school, he really made sure that our parents and staff were comfortable so that our students were receiving the maximum education that they could in that remote setting.”

Mr. Onorato received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Hofstra University and earned his Master of Science degree in Special Education from Touro College. He continued his studies by enrolling in the Educational Administrative Certificate Program at the College of St. Rose where he received his certification in School Building Leader and School District Leader.

“The reason I wanted to venture into administration was to be in a better position to assist, inspire, and empower others to arrive at their best self, whether that be professionally or personally,” said Mr. Onorato. “Being able to do this through a lens of instructional technology, an area of education that I am so passionate about, in a district that is a second home to me, is my absolute dream job! I am really excited to work shoulder to shoulder with teachers, students and administration and leverage the power of technology to develop the skills and motivation needed to be successful 21st Century learners.”