{Michelle A. Spasiano}
Mrs. Michelle A. Spasiano
Let me start by welcoming everyone to the 2009-2010 school year at Franklinville Central Schools. I am honored, proud, and pleased to be the new superintendent of this wonderful organization and can tell you that in all of my years in education, the start to this school year has been the most exhilarating. What a whirlwind! I started on September 21st, and would like to begin this article by thanking our Board of Education, Mr. Michael O’Brien, the interim Superintendent, the administration, and the entire Franklinville CSD faculty and staff for kicking off this year so smoothly! As I walked in my first day to such a warm welcome, I was amazed at how beautiful the schools looked, and how efficiently everything was running, from bus arrival and dismissal to all of the engagement in the schools throughout the day. Our fantastic students were happily moving from class to class, classrooms looked welcoming and literacy rich, and teachers were deeply engaged in their instructional programs. All of the hard work of preparing for the new school year that had taken place all summer was apparent in the hum of the atmosphere, and again, I thank everyone!
While it’s always odd to talk about yourself, I thought you might like to know about my background and philosophy of education – the stuff that brought me here! (Please forgive my overuse of the pronoun I in this article, as it’s usually not my style.) My career in education has been landscaped with great leaders who have taught me much, and always been a source of encouragement. I began my teaching career in a private school in the city of Buffalo and after a few years, moved to the Clarence School District where I taught at the elementary and middle school levels. As a teacher I often took on leadership roles, and was soon encouraged by my principal, Mr. Joel Weiss, to return to school for my administrative certification. I soon found myself in an assistant principal position in the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, Niagara Academy, charged with the task of starting an alternative middle and high school program. That program served students from 13 component districts of Orleans and Niagara Counties. After three years, Dr. Judith Howard, Superintendent of Niagara Wheatfield CSD approached me, and encouraged me to apply for a principalship at one of her elementary buildings. I eagerly stepped in as the principal of Errick Road Elementary School for six years, and was then asked to lead the high school through an extensive capital project. Most recently, serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, I was responsible for overseeing the instructional program of the six schools that make up the Niagara Wheatfield School District. I have always had the courage and ambition to walk through new doors presented me, with the belief I had more to offer students. This was also true when I learned of the opening for the Superintendency here in Franklinville.
I am passionate about the education of ALL of our children, especially ensuring that they are well prepared with the 21st century knowledge, and skills, that will serve them well in their futures. I believe this is possible if we honor students’ multiple intelligences, and learning styles. I too am a lifelong learner, and am always searching for knowledge about curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology, athletics, the arts, and leadership. I believe in collaboration as a means for accomplishing the high standards and expectations in education today! I am looking forward to forging those relationships this year, and helping to keep Franklinville on the trajectory of excellence it has been on!
In closing, again, I thank this community for the honor of becoming your Superintendent and can promise you that I take very seriously the job of caring for the children you have entrusted to us! I welcome you to visit or call any time you have a question or concern, and want you to know that I have an open door policy. I wish you all a beautiful fall!
