Dr. Roxanne Pangallo
Spaulding School welcomes its new principal, Dr. Roxanne Pangallo, who assumed her new position in late summer. Dr. Pangallo, a native of New York State, comes to us from the public schools of New Hartford, where her duties as principal covered two different elementary school buildings. Dr. Pangallo received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and elementary education from SUNY at Potsdam, her master’s degree in elementary education from Central Connecticut State University, and her doctorate in educational leadership, also from Central. She has been a classroom teacher and a curriculum coordinator, so the “school business” is nothing new to her. It’s hard to imagine anyone more qualified for the job at Spaulding!
Dr. Pangallo, who is quick to introduce herself as Roxanne, puts the visitor at ease immediately. She is articulate about both the challenges and the joys of educating young children; what she has to say is neither a party line nor high-flown oratory, but down-to-earth observations and opinions about how best to serve the 500 pupils in her care. When asked why she chose Suffield as her new professional home base, she mentioned the quality of the search process; the questions she was asked in her various interviews were thoughtful and pertinent, reflecting a philosophy of education similar to her own. The questions she asked were likewise answered in ways that felt right to her. The Suffield schools’ sense of educating the whole child was particularly meaningful, since education is never merely a matter of grades and test scores.
In addition to feeling comfortable with her interviews, Roxanne also found the beauty of this area to be appealing, and—most important—she sensed the warmth and welcoming spirit of the people she met. Although she is commuting from her home in New Hartford, she wants to become involved in our community as soon as she can; to that end, she plans to read back issues of the Observer!
Three cheers for Roxanne Pangallo, a most impressive addition to Suffield.