Allow us to introduce you to Melissa Santarcangelo, Catskill High School’s new assistant principal. Ms. Santarcangelo joins the Catskill Central School District with over 15 years of experience as a public school administrator, instructional coach, and literacy teacher.
Santarcangelo says her passion for education comes from her desire to help others and give back to the community. “I have a service style of leadership,” she explains. “My job is to help and support our students, our staff, and our families to make sure every kid has the tools they need to be successful. Not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.”
Santarcangelo was most recently the principal at Rensselaer Park Elementary School in Lansingburgh and before that was the school’s assistant principal. She also served as the summer school principal for the Lansingburgh Central School District. Earlier in her career, she worked as a reading interventionist at Cohoes Middle School, an instructional coach at Henry Johnson Charter School in Albany, and a literacy coach for the Middletown City School District.
“I came to Catskill because in a small district, you can build relationships and enact change quickly. I’m excited to get to know all our high schoolers and find the best ways to support them.”
Santarcangelo holds NYS certifications as a school building leader, school district leader, and literacy teacher. She earned a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from SUNY New Paltz, along with a master’s degree in literacy education and a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from SUNY Oswego. She is a graduate of Schenectady High School.
She and her husband, who is also a public school administrator, are the parents of two elementary-age girls and share their home with four cats. When not at work, Santarcangelo enjoys ocean fishing and playing in the pool with her family.
The Board of Education appointed Santarcangelo on September 10 to replace Annie Coager, who resigned as CHS assistant principal in August to take a position in another school district. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Santarcangelo to our administrative team!