Gerard W. Dempsey Jr.
Superintendent
Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD
In a career that has spanned more than 40 years, Gerard W. Dempsey Jr. has impacted the lives of countless students, teachers and administrators. Dempsey tried retiring in 2001 but quickly began giving back to the educational community he loved so much, sharing his expertise in a multitude of ways. And when districts in need of leadership came calling, he answered them as well.
Dempsey began his career as a social studies teacher in New York City. Since then, he has worked in a half dozen Long Island school districts, including Farmingdale, Huntington, Northport, Plainedge, Roslyn and Plainview-Old Bethpage. His longest tenure in one position was as superintendent of Farmingdale UFSD from 1990 to 2001.
Dedicated to sharing knowledge and paying it forward to the next generation of school leaders, Dempsey helped create � and was the first director of � the Long Island School Leadership Center, an organization dedicated to the development and support of school leaders. Dempsey also was instrumental to the creation of the Long Island Social Emotional Literacy Forum, a group devoted to enhancing school climate and increasing academic achievement.
Now, Dempsey is back in district, serving as superintendent of Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD. He said he is "pleased and honored to still have the opportunity to make a contribution to the field of education."
He holds a bachelor's degree in history and a master's in teaching from Fordham University as well as a master's in liberal studies from Stony Brook University.
Dempsey, of Greenlawn, N.Y., enjoys sharing the role of parent and grandparent with his wife of 40 years, Carol.