Meet WPHS’s new House Administrators: Brandon Elezovic and Brian Zambrzycki

For Brandon Elezovic, the new East House Administrator at White Plains High School, effective school leadership has much in common with coaching. Both, he says, are ultimately about helping people reach their potential and it is a philosophy he brings to his new position.

“I’ve always viewed coaching and administration as the same job,” Mr. Elezovic said. “Building people, not just running a program.”

The incoming administrator comes to White Plains from the New York City Department of Education, where he most recently worked in the Bronx. He previously taught physical education in the Middletown school district in Orange County and has also coached varsity diving.

A graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, Mr. Elezovic earned his bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and his master’s degree in teaching from Manhattanville University. He also earned an advanced diploma in educational leadership from Manhattanville and is currently pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership there, with about two years remaining in the program.

Mr. Elezovic has lived in White Plains for about four years and said he had long hoped for an opportunity to work in the school district. The House Administrator position particularly appealed to him because of its emphasis on direct interaction with students.

“The House Administrator role is something that really gets to work with students and work within a larger system,” he said. The position, he added, provides an opportunity to help build the capacity of both students and staff while remaining closely connected to the day-to-day life of the school.

Mr. Elezovic describes himself as “a big listener” who wants to meet students where they are. That means spending time not only in an office, but in the hallways, cafeteria, library and on the athletic fields, listening to students’ perspectives and learning about their experiences. 

“I think of myself as a teacher first,” he said.

As he begins at WPHS, Mr. Elezovic said his initial priority is to learn as much as possible about the school, including how the building operates, what students are involved in and how teachers work. He also looks forward to becoming an integral part of the administrative team and learning from colleagues with years of experience and institutional knowledge.

He sees the House system as particularly well suited to building those relationships. A House Administrator, he said, should be a first point of contact for students and families and someone they know they can approach with questions or concerns.

"You should be the familiar face and the person who they have no problem walking into their office or picking up the phone and contacting,” he said.

Outside of school, Mr. Elezovic is an avid runner who has taken on increasingly ambitious distances. He has completed the New York City Marathon and plans to run his second marathon in Chicago in October. He also participates in half-marathons and 10Ks. He describes himself as a proud “dog dad” and enjoys spending time with his niece, nephew and the rest of his family.

As he settles into East House, he is particularly enthusiastic about combining his professional role with his connection to the city he calls home. “I’m excited to work in the House model and I’m excited to serve the community I live in," he said.

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Brian Zambrzycki is bringing more than a decade of experience in education and a background in school psychology to his new role as South House Administrator at White Plains High School.

Mr. Zambrzycki, now in his 11th year in education, comes to WPHS from the Bedford Central School District, where he served as a school psychologist at Fox Lane Middle School. He has also worked as a psychologist at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Orange County and previously worked for the New York State Office of Mental Health in a forensic setting.

He earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in school psychology from Marist University. He also holds a certificate of advanced study in trauma and disaster mental health counseling from SUNY New Paltz and a master’s degree in educational leadership from LIU Hudson.

A graduate of the Monroe-Woodbury School District, Mr. Zambrzycki said he was drawn to White Plains in part because he was familiar with the opportunities and energy of a large school community. He was also attracted by the diversity of White Plains and the district’s reputation.

“I've heard nothing but good things about the district and wanted to be part of the community and the culture here,” he said, adding that he hopes to bring his experience as a school psychologist to his new position to help students succeed while developing strong relationships with their families.

As South House Administrator, Mr. Zambrzycki sees his role as helping students navigate their high school years while working closely with school counselors and other members of the support team. While handling disciplinary and behavioral matters is part of the job, he said he wants to take a proactive approach by getting to know the scholars and connecting them with the appropriate resources when they need assistance.

That philosophy also shapes his approach to discipline. Rather than viewing a disciplinary referral simply as a consequence for wrongdoing, Mr. Zambrzycki believes it should become an opportunity for students to learn. 

“It’s OK to make mistakes. We’re human,” he said. “Part of being a human is making mistakes, but what’s important is how we learn from our initial mistakes.”

His background in psychology, he said, allows him to examine behavioral or academic difficulties from a social-emotional perspective. Instead of focusing solely on what a student has done, he wants to understand what may be contributing to the behavior and determine what support could help. That could mean connecting a student with a counselor, social worker, school psychologist or another professional.

Communication among students, families and staff will also be a priority. Zambrzycki said students receive the strongest support when “everybody’s on the same page.” As he begins the school year, he plans to introduce himself to teachers and other professionals throughout the building and establish connections with families as early as possible.

Most of all, Mr. Zambrzycki wants South House students to know that his office is not somewhere they should expect to visit only when something has gone wrong. “I want students to know that I’m approachable,” he said. “They can come talk to me and see me, just to check in, just to say hi to me in the hallway.”

Outside of school, Mr. Zambrzycki enjoys camping, swimming, kayaking, traveling and other outdoor activities. Having recently moved to Westchester, he is also looking forward to exploring his new surroundings — including, he joked, discovering where to find the area’s best restaurants.