ABOUT

Rob Wottawa is currently the Director of Art, ENL, Music, and World Languages in the East Islip School District. He previously was the Department Chair of Art, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Music, as well as the 9/10 Choral director in the Longwood School District. He earned his Doctorate of Education at Long Island University, Post Campus, and defended his dissertation: Expert Advice From Mentor Teachers to Improve First-Year Teachers' Teaching and First-Year Experience in December of 2015.

Rob was born and raised on Long Island, NY, where his passion for music was born. After graduating High School, he attended Franklin Pierce College, NH, earning a degree in performing music on the classical guitar.

Upon earning a Bachelors of Science degree, Rob began teaching guitar, clarinet, percussion, piano, and bass at a local music store. Here is where his passion for education began, and was inspired to attend LIU to earn a masters in education to become a public school music teacher.

Beginning his career at the Longwood Middle School as a general music and chorus teacher he began to hone his craft as a teacher. After three years, he was asked to teach and direct the band at the Junior High School. Rob was thrilled with the opportunity and enjoyed creating a curriculum that encompassed performance as well as music theory. Here is were he began to forge technology into his lessons and focus on the psychology behind teaching.

During his second year at the Junior High School he was asked to apply for the Wallace Grant though Stony Brook University. This grant provided the opportunity to complete a certificate program, both building and district, in Educational Leadership. After applying and being interviewed by the Longwood Central Office team, he was one of two selected from the top fifteen teachers labeled as an effective leader.

After one year of coursework and the internship beginning the following year, Rob applied to become the Department Chair of Art and Music at the High School. During the first year there were many great opportunities for learning and growing. Here is where Rob felt the urge to continue his education to lead others towards positive change.

Beginning his doctoral degree was a personal goal that is now a reality. Rob hopes to gain the necessary knowledge and utilize resources to bring positive change to those around him.

Since completion of his doctorate he has presented in New Mexico, Salt Lake City, and Long Island on various occasions. He is currently working with a Math professor from Stony Brook University on Parents' Perceptions of Math and Math Education. They hope to publish the work in the Spring of 2019.

Personally, Rob shares his time with his wife and two girls on Long Island. Where they love to cook, bake, and read together. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, road biking, running, and performing on various instruments. He hopes he can make his family proud!!