Resume
John J. Gallagher, Ed.D.
Long Island, New York
631-294-2279
SUMMARY
Dynamic, versatile, and diplomatic arts education leader with a collaborative leadership style, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a sense of humor. Relationship builder with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders. Strong advocate for students and families from diverse cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. Compelling national-level speaker with knowledge and skills in all facets of arts education, curriculum & assessment, event planning and implementation, human resources, financial management & facilities operations, technology, and public, government & media relations.
Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills, Personal Accountability and Resiliency, Team player who appreciates others.
Proven record of leadership and communication skills, and managing a complex department and professional associations.
EDUCATION
Ed.D. Educational Administration - Dowling College – Oakdale, NY (2007)
P.D. School District Administrator – University at Stony Brook – Stony Brook, NY (2003)
M.S. Music Education – Long Island University – Brookville, NY (1999)
B.S. Communication Arts – St. John’s University – Jamaica, NY (1992)
EXPERIENCE
LONGWOOD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, Middle Island, New York (January, 2006 – Present)
Director of Music & Fine Arts / BOCES Arts-In-Education Coordinator
Member of superintendent’s leadership team responsible for planning, management and supervision of a K-12 fine & performing arts program that serves a mixed socio-economic school community of 9,300 students. Increased responsibility included supervision of secondary-level Family & Consumer Science and Driver Education programs, and liaising with Internal Auditors on finances of student clubs. Participate in advocacy projects on the national and state levels that pertain to education and the arts. Partner our students with artists and business leaders.
Lead administrator and consultant to the superintendent of schools who ensured the safe continuation of an award-winning fine and performing arts program during the COVID-19 era.
Member of District's Fall, 2020 Re-Opening Task Force; School/Business Partnership; Legislative, Professional Development, & Curriculum Committees.
Lead administrator on pilot of NYS Department of Education's Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP) to graduation.
Accomplishments
District-wide music program recognized by the New York State School Music Association with the Award of Excellence (2022).
Lead administrator on pilot of NYS Department of Education's Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP) to graduation (2022),
Proudly implemented the first school-based Harp curriculum on Long Island (2021).
High School music program recognized by Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2019).
Led district through 2.5-year cross-curricular project to produce Irving Berlin's Yip! Yip! Yaphank! written in 1918 within current district boundaries.
Elementary Music Program Excellence Award - Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) 2018, 2016
Music program Honored by Indianapolis, IN - based Music for All with inaugural Advocacy in Action Award (November, 2018).
Successfully advocated for the 2015-16 return of district’s fourth grade performing music program after losing it during 2009 economic downturn.
Updated and streamlined fine and performing arts curricula incorporating new New York State Learning Standards in the Arts.
Arts Education program recognized by Suffolk County Anti-Bias Task Force for promoting tolerance & inclusion through the Arts, 2014
Student art work selected as part of 2022, 2019, 2016 and 2014 U.S. Congressional Art Shows.
Community listed as “Best” for Music Education in America each year since 2008.
Led upgrade of state-of-the-art technologies in two auditoria; and for music and visual art curriculum to enhance learning, teaching and creativity.
Initiated online registration process for district-wide Driver Education program.
ROCKY POINT UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, Rocky Point, New York (September, 2004 – January, 2006)
Music Teacher/Department Chairperson; District Coordinator for Public and Community Relations
Similar duties and accomplishments as listed above in a smaller educational environment.
HICKSVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, Hicksville, New York (May, 2003 – June, 2004)
Administrator for Community Services
Writer, editor and distributor of all public relations and information materials. Maintained community support for nine schools, shared and released information with all concerned. Acted as media contact for emergencies/closings/budget results.
ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Archbishop Stepinac High School (White Plains, NY) Instrumental & General Music, Music Theory
Sachem Central School District (Holtsville, NY) Eighth Grade Band Director, Jazz Ensemble Director; Assistant High School Marching Band Director
Deer Park School District (Deer Park, NY) Concert Band & Wind Ensemble Director; Jazz Ensemble Director; Marching Band Director (2002 Champions)
HONORS
School District Administrator Service Award - Suffolk County Organization for the Promotion of Education (SCOPE) - March, 2018
Received Honorary Life Membership in Longwood Council of PTAs, 2014
Received Honorary Life Membership in Longwood Chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society from students, 2007
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
CONN-SELMER DIVISION OF EDUCATION, Elkhart, IN
Serve as part of a team of educational leaders to support school music programs across the United States.
CONN-SELMER, INC., Elkhart, IN
Invited to collaborate with colleagues from across the country as part of VIP Program (September, 2018)
GIVE A NOTE FOUNDATION, Indianapolis, IN
Ambassador/Advisory Council Member
Invited to bring expertise, credibility and network to support Foundation's mission of equitable access to music education for all students. Respond to board and/or staff when advice and/or assistance is needed.
LONG ISLAND SCHOLAR ARTIST PROGRAM, Long Island, NY (January, 2007 – Present)
Creator and Education Committee Chairperson
Collaborated with fellow arts educators, the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) and Newsday to produce a monthly venue promoting artistic and academic successes of Long Island’s twelfth grade students. This flagship program is application-based, and students are selected through a blind adjudication process. A PBS documentary can be found here.
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS FOUNDATION, Los Angeles, CA (January, 2021 - Present)
Holland's Heroes (2021 - Present)
Invited to join other experienced, passionate leaders in arts education across the country to bridge the nation and empower students through arts education.
MUSIC FOR ALL, Indianapolis, IN
Faculty Member, Summer Symposium - Ball State University, Muncie, IN (2022)
Presented session on Public Relations, Advocacy & Leadership to five hundred (500) students from across the country.
Member, Advocacy in Action Committee - Music for All - Indianapolis IN (September, 2018 - Present)
Invited to Music for All National Festival - Indianapolis, IN (March, 2018)
Scholarship Adjudicator
NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATORS OF MUSIC EDUCATION (NYSCAME)
President (2022 - Present)
Represent approximately 250 members across New York State who have leadership responsibilities of school music programs.
Secured Federal 501(c)3 and New York State Charity designations.
Confirm and Coordinate Session Presenters for NYSSMA Conferences in Summer (Albany) and Winter (Rochester).
Re-organized duties of Executive Board.
President-Elect and Social Media Coordinator (Twitter) @NYSCAME (2020 - 2022).
Vice-President (2017-2019)
Maintain records of approximately 200 leaders of New York State school arts programs. Compile, edit and disseminate quarterly information to membership. Representative to the New York State Council of Education Associations (NYSCEA).
NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATORS OF MUSIC EDUCATION - Suffolk County Chapter
Past-President (2020-2021) - Coordinate Roundtable discussions on behalf of the president.
President (2019-2020) - Lead & maintain relationships with elected officials. Liaise with association's 40 members on topics related to music education.
Vice-President (2018 - 2019) - Coordinate annual scholarship luncheon for students, parents, teachers and administrators.
Secretary (2017 – 2018) - Maintained minutes from all association meetings.
Director of Professional Development (2015 – 2017) - Led association's efforts to provide timely, quality, useful opportunities to advance teacher learning.
NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS (NYSCEA)
Member-Delegate as President-Elect of NYSCAME 2019-Present
While representing administrators of music and arts programs, advocacy for education in New York State is coordinated with members from thirty-eight (38) educational organizations.
NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION (NYSSMA), Westbury, NY
Chairperson for Public Relations and Information; All State Adjudicator, Social Media Coordinator (2002 - Present)
Gather and share information as primary state-wide contact for all media inquiries. Writer, editor and distributor of all news releases, articles, and information. Developed training initiative to educate members on how to use public and media relations materials to promote their program.
Among association's leads for annual Music In Our Schools Month activities in state capitol of Albany, NY.
Interact with media representatives, elected officials and staff on behalf of NYSSMA.
Maintain Press Room to gather and share information as primary state-wide contact for all media inquiries.
SUFFOLK COUNTY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (SCMEA)
Advocacy Committee Co-Chairperson (2022 - Present)
Social Media Coordinator (Twitter & Instagram - @SCMEA_NYS) (2018 - Present)
Elementary School Music Program Recognition Award Committee (2018-Present)
Government Relations Co-Chairperson (2018 - 2021)
Commercial Membership Chairperson (2014 - 2018)
Public Relations Chairperson (2000 - 2002)
WESTHAMPTON BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Westhampton Beach, NY
Member – Arts Education Advisory Board (2014 - 2017)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Leading a School District Music Program - SUNY Fredonia SDL Students - March, 2022
How School Arts Programs are Faring During COVID-19 - Suffolk NYSCAME Virtual Symposium for Long Island Educators - November, 2021
The History of Music In Our Schools Month and Advocacy Efforts in New York State - NAfME Webinar - March, 2019 (Panelist)
Presenting the NEW New York State Learning Standards in the Arts - Various School Districts & NYSCAME-Suffolk Symposium 2017-2018
Using Title IV Funds for Your Music Program - NAfME Webinar - March, 2018 (Panelist)
Public Relations, Advocacy and Music Education: Working Hand-in-Hand
Conn-Selmer Institute - Indianapolis, IN (Virtual), April, 2022
Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL. December, 2023, 2016 (Presenter)
NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Providence, RI. March, 2015 (Presenter)
How to Market Your Music Program - Marketing Music Education webinar - November, 2016 (Presenter)
CHARACTERISTICS
Project Implementation and Leadership
Created Long Island's first school-based Harp curriculum.
Regularly multi-task, and balance near-term priorities with longer-term district objectives and initiatives.
Led district through 2.5-year cross-curricular project of producing Irving Berlin's Yip! Yip! Yaphank! written in 1918 within current district boundaries.
Spearheaded creation of Long Island Arts Alliance’s Scholar Artist program. Serve as Education Committee Chair.
Social Media Coordination Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter
Leader in Education and Arts Advocacy
Work with senior leadership on curriculum reviews, student development, arts-related technology and initiatives, arts advocacy.
Ed.D. Dissertation: The Attitudes of Music Administrators and Music Educators in Their Role as Advocates for K-12 Music Programs in Selected Regions of New York State
Exceptionally Strong Interpersonal and Communication skills to deal with Internal and External Target Audiences
Built relationships with State and Local Leaders, Board of Education members, Superintendents, Teachers, Parents, Students, Staff
Chairperson for Public Relations and Information (Media Spokesperson), New York State School Music Association’s 3,700 members
Proven capacity to effectively operate in large and small institutions
Recruit, Interview, Hire, Manage and Evaluate Teaching, Substitute, and Clerical Staff
Champion of Teamwork
Believer in supporting staff and allowing them to flourish in their positions
PUBLISHED ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
2024, March. The Importance of Music In Our Schools Month - iHeart Radio
2020, July. Leading Longwood School District's Fine and Performing Arts Program during COVID-19
2016, October. Poliniak, S. The Advocate. Teaching Music (NAfME). Circulation - 70,000 (Featured Article)
2017, May. The Art of Public Relations. The Instrumentalist, 71 (10), pp. 8-10
2012, June. Advocacy Manual for NYSSMA membership
2007, January. Seventy-Five Years of Music Education in New York State. The School Music News
2005, May/June. NYSSMA Members Serve Our Country. The School Music News
2005, February/March. Misinformation in a Crisis Can Spell Disaster. The School Music News
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor, University at Stony Brook – Department of Educational Administration and Leadership