Where it all started

Peter Russo didn't start as a speaker—he started as a teacher. Everything he brings to the stage was learned in the classrooms where it mattered most. Peter currently serves as a secondary school administrator at Smithtown East High School, capping a 21-year career in education. He began his journey in 2005 as a middle school special education teacher in Queens, NY, where working in a diverse, multilingual Title I school quickly taught him how to reach and support struggling learners. Seeking to expand his impact, Peter stepped into administration in 2011 as a middle school assistant principal in Brooklyn. Throughout his career spanning the New York City Department of Education, Long Beach School District, and Smithtown Central School District, Peter has been dedicated to systemic improvements in student achievement. Today, he speaks nationally on innovative educational trends, building collaborative community partnerships, and enhancing outcomes for all students. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Peter currently resides in Smithtown with his wife, three children, and their dog.