Principal
gets advance look at district
School head to start job next
month.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER
• The Express-Times
WASHINGTON -- Michelle Gadaleta is eager
to become a member of the school district and borough
community even before she takes the helm as principal of the
Taylor Street School.
In fact, she has already attended a
district graduation ceremony and awards event.
"It's wonderful being able to work with
the community and parents as a team effort, and I love being
part of that," she said. "I've already slipped into some
events and have been welcomed into the
community."
Gadaleta is set to start at the
kindergarten through second grade school on July 1. She
replaces Nancy Yard, who is moving on to become principal in
the Holland Township school district in Hunterdon
County.
"I've loved my four years here," Yard
said. "This is just an opportunity to expand," she
said.
Gadaleta's one-year contract includes a
salary of $77,000, district Superintendent Lance Rozsa
said.
Gadaleta earned a bachelor's degree from
Radford University in Virginia in elementary education with
concentrations in English, culture and the fine arts. She
earned a master's degree from Montclair University in
administration and supervision.
Gadaleta was with the Bloomingdale school
district in Passaic County for seven years, where she taught
second, third and fourth grades. She is wrapping up the
school year as a fourth-grade teacher at her school, which
houses about 175 students. Next year, Rozsa anticipates
about 220 students in the Taylor Street School.
This past year, Gadaleta also took on the
position of teacher in charge, which placed her in an
administrative position similar to that of a
principal.
"My students have been wonderful, and I
have loved being a part of the community here," she
said.
She said she has worked towards an
administrative position and looks forward to a role where
she can be a resource for teachers, students and
parents.
Donna Golda, president of Washington
Borough's board of education, said the board sought a
candidate with teaching experience.
"(Gadaleta) was teacher of the year last
year, and I can see why," Golda said.
During a public forum where Gadaleta and
another candidate met with teachers and community members,
Golda said Gadaleta "nailed every question."
"She just oozed energy and enthusiasm,"
Golda said.
Golda listed Gadaleta's experience with
the school budget process and with curriculum coordination
as other prime qualifications. The district's parent teacher
organization has been losing force in recent years,
something Golda said Gadaleta plans to combat with community
events and awareness.
"She's someone people enjoy talking to,"
Rozsa said. "People immediately get the sense that she is
very warm and personable."
Gadaleta said she is eager to begin
working with a new after-school program that will provide a
host of educational activities for students, including
academics, athletics and other lessons. The district
received a state grant this year to begin the project and
will be the first suburban district to host the
program.
She said she hopes to see about 200
students participate in the program, which will run from 3-6
p.m., Monday through Friday. The program could include
birding, photography, drama, and other topics students may
not cover in the daily curriculum.
"This program provides educational and
structural aspects for children, and I'm glad to be able to
bring it to students -- especially those who have working
parents," Gadaleta said.
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at
908-475-8044 or by e-mail at
aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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