ANASTASIOS KOULARMANIS

I was appointed as an English teacher at Franklin K. Lane High School in 1993. After being granted tenure my desire to grow in my field forced me to take another position at Hicksville High School in L.I NY in 1997. During the same year I took a second position as an Adjunct lecturer at LaGuardia Community College. After receiving my Administration license I immediately searched out an administration position. Leaving my second position I accepted the role of Assistant Principal at the Saint Demetrios Greek-American School of Astoria in 1999.

After 6 month as Assistant Principal I was promoted to Supervising Principal of the Saint Demetrios Day and Afternoon School System. Usually individuals leave private education to obtain a position in public school. In my case, my love for my religion, culture and heritage made my decision very easy. Leaving a tenured position with a pension did not matter as much as finding my way home were I belonged. I was always involved with various Greek organizations because I was taught from a very young age the importance of not loosing my identity and traditions as a Greek-American.

During my 12 years as the Principal St. Demetrios School System I have brought to the school new levels of academic excellence. The reputation of the school has been elevated beyond the expectations of the community. It is my hope that upon my completion of the Doctoral program at Saint John’s University I will be able to offer to the students and staff of the Saint Demetrios school system a new level of professional leadership.
Recently the school had the honor of having his All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visit the school. Many more guest such as Mr. and Mrs. Kostas Karamanlis, Mr. C. Simitis, Mrs. Christofia, Theodoros Kassimis, Mr. Stylianides, Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos the Olympiakos, Panathinaikos and AEK soccer teams etc.. Under my administration the school has been featured in various newspapers, magazines, Greek television in the U.S and abroad. Most recently ERT a popular Greek television channel featured a special surrounding the popularity and accomplishments of the school in recent years.

In addition to visitors the school has also attracted several donors. The Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation awarded the school over 2 million dollars throughout various grants. In addition Mr. Petros Patrides, Mr. Efstathios Valiotis, Mr. Nick Andriotis, Mr. Sarantakos. All monies were used to create the schools current endowment fund.

I have received numerous awards and Proclomations from several Greek organizations and Politicians such as Assemblyman Michael Giannaris, Borough President Mrs. Helen Marshal, and Congress Member Peter Vallone Jr.