Feature

Principal Appreciation Month

October tribute to our school leaders

Allyson McGowan, Editor in Chief • October 30, 2024

Thank you to our building leaders.

Principal Appreciation Month is celebrated every year during the month of October. This year, the Red and Black, will be featuring the dedicated and passionate principals who help make our school district the best it can be.

Principal Appreciation Month

Allyson McGowan, Editor in Chief

Dr. Rusielewicz, PMHS Principal. (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Dr. Rusielewicz, PMHS

Q.1 How long have you been a principal?

Nineteen years. I was originally an assistant principal for three years, then a principal at South Ocean for three years, and finally sixteen years as the PMHS principal. So overall twenty-two years as an administrator in total.

Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?

No, I had originally started as an aircraft mechanic before becoming an auto mechanic. Eventually, I went back to school for my true passion, music and became music teacher.

Q.3 Who inspired you in education?

My wife. She is an art teacher and seeing her passion for teaching inspired me to become a teacher as well.

Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

Honestly, there’s too many to choose from. Getting promoted to be the high school principal is a favorite as it was my dream to become a principal ever since I went back to school to become a teacher. But also, just watching the way people come together for the students to make their experience here at the high school special such as how we did Prom on Main Street or still held a graduation during Covid-19, are also all favorite memories.

Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?

I love how every day there are new challenges. Working with a family to change a student's life and making such a big school smaller by being dedicated to helping the student one-on-one has always been impactful to me. Plus, I’m really proud of all the programs being brought in that open new possibilities that help students find their passion. Overall, just working with individuals and starting new programs to enhance the students Highschool experience makes my job special.

Mr. Piciullo, South Ocean Principal. (Photo by Allyson McGowa)

Mr. Piciullo, South Ocean Middle School

Q.1 How long have you been a principal?

This is my eleventh year as Principal of South Ocean Middle School.

Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?

I initially went to college for Business Administration and Information Technology. Working in the business environment I had the opportunity to lead and manage groups of people. After becoming a business and technology teacher, I became interested in applying my previous leadership experience to education and have a larger impact on the entire school community.

Q.3 Who inspired you to pursue education?

As part of one of my responsibilities in my prior career, I was in charge of training new employees. I enjoyed helping people learn and be successful at work. That is when I realized that I had a passion to be an educator.

Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

There are so many great memories that it is hard to choose one, especially, anytime I am able to help a student or family overcome a challenge. I would say that one of my fondest memories was working with a particular ACES student who had difficulties adjusting to school many years ago and then watching him walk across the stage at high school graduation last year.

Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?

South Ocean Middle School is a small neighborhood community school. It is unique in that it is a Village of Patchogue school. The unique and diverse population of the school makes for a tight knit and supportive community that is special to work with. I enjoy interacting daily with our talented students and amazing staff.

Mr. Lake, Oregon Middle School Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Mr. Lake, Oregon Middle School

This segment was contributed by Julia Franz.

Q.1 How long have you been a principal?

Twelve years.

Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?

No, I started my career in the business world, I then was a business teacher for eight years and loved it. I was a coach for wrestling, football, and lacrosse at the middle school and high school levels. I then decided that I wanted a new challenge to be a School Administrator. I was an Assistant Principal for six years and then became a Principal.

Q.3 Who inspired you to pursue education?

I had two awesome parents that always supported me, so they were the first. I also grew up having great teachers and coaches and they gave me so much that I want to be like them and give back to students also.

Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

Every year when I am able to sit on the stage at the high school commencement, I am able to see all of the students that went to Oregon Middle School graduate. I feel a little pride in knowing that the experience we gave the students at Oregon helped them get to the point of graduating high school.

Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?

I believe that we have a very special school at Oregon Middle School. We treat each other like a family and I love to come to work every day. I love the fact that I am not only the Principal but I am also a community member of the school district. I take great pride in our school and the success of each and every student.

Dr. Deland, Medford Elementary Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Dr. Deland, Medford Elementary

Q.1 How long have you been a principal?

Five years.

Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?

No, initially I went to college for pre-med.

Q.3 Who inspired you to pursue education?

My fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Townsend, was an inspirational teacher. It was he who demonstrated the elements of teaching and infused the joy of learning.

Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

There are so many joyful memories of my principalship. The ones that most stand out are the teacher and administrator performance in the talent show. The entire team came together to bring joy to the students and families.

Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?

Seeing the difference in the building culture and the joy in the faces of my students and staff makes it an absolutely exceptional experience.

Mrs. Wernau, Tremont Elementary Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Mrs. Wernau, Tremont Elementary

Q.1 How long have you been a principal?

Assistant principal for four years, principal for five years. This is year six!

Q.2 Did you always want to be a principal?

No! As a child I wanted to be an author. Then, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I worked at a law firm getting my MA in English when I realized I loved literacy and wanted to share that with others. I could've been a teacher for forever because I loved it but the more, I learned the more I felt compelled to help.

Q.3 Who inspired you to pursue education?

My grandmother and the former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese. I met President McAleese at a lecture and she said our children are the greatest hope we have for the future. The answers to our problems are in the minds of our students. That stuck with me. My grandmother only received an 8th grade education. Education was a huge priority for her.

Q.4 What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

When we opened our school farm.

Q.5 What makes being a principal at your school special?

We call ourselves the Tremont family. It feels like that. I am proud to work alongside people that truly act as a community.

Mr. Ruiz, Canaan Elementary Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Mr. Ruiz, Canaan Elementary

This segment was contributed by Liam Rodriguez and Lucas Avila.

Q.1: How long have you been a principal?

It is my first year as a principal. Before this I was a director of CTE for 5 years. My first year as a principal started on July first, 2024.

Pregunta uno. ¿Cuánto tiempo ha sido director?

En mis primeros años como director antes de que esto empezara yo era director de CTE. Durante cinco años. mi primer año como director comenzó el 1 de julio de 2024.

Q.2: Did you always want to be a principal?

Yes, I always wanted to be an educational leader. I think that it will help the community grow, be kinder, and become educated. If I can be a part of that it will mean a lot to me.

Pregunta 2. ¿Siempre quiso ser director?

Sí, siempre he querido un líder educacional quiero que la comunidad crezca, sea más amable y sea más educada. Si puede ser parte de eso, se significará mucho para mí.

Q.3: Who inspired you in education?

My mother. She inspired me to be an educator, and she also told me that I had more educational opportunities than her, since she grew up in a different country.

Pregunta 3. ¿Quién te inspiró en la educación?

Mi madre, ella me inspiró a ser educador. También me dijo que tengo más oportunidades educativas que ella porque creció en un país diferente.

Q.4: What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

It has been a short time since I started, but so far, my favorite memory is whenever I go inside the classrooms. I like seeing the kids so motivated to learn.

Pregunta 4. ¿Cuál es tu recuerdo favorito de ser director?

No ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que comencé, pero hasta ahora mi recuerdo favorito es cada vez que entro al aula. Me gusta ver a los niños tan motivados para aprender.

Q.5: What makes being a principal at your school special?

I like seeing the diversity of students and I love seeing kids able to interact with other kids from different cultures. I am happy to see the kids at this school grow together.

Pregunta 5. ¿Qué hace que ser director sea especial?

Me gusta ver la diversidad de estudiantes y me encanta ver a los niños capaces de interactuar con otros niños de diferentes culturas. Estoy feliz de ver a los niños de esta escuela crecer juntos.

Mr. Santacroce, Barton Elementary Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Mr. Santacroce, Barton Elementary

This segment was contributed by Emma McGourty.

Q.1: How long have you been a principal?

Mr. Santacroce is new to the job. He has only been a principal at Barton since the start of the 2024-2025 school year. He was an assistant principal last year.

Q.2: Did you always want to be a principal?

Becoming a principal was not part of his original vision for his career. Early in his career, he was so excited to be a special education teacher. He then became a mentor for new teachers and then an instructional coach. This made him develop a passion for supporting teachers and decided he wanted to become an administrator.

Q.3: Who inspired you in education?

His aunt inspired him to become a special education teacher, consultant, and administrator. He also has a cousin who has special needs who also inspired him to become a special education teacher. He wanted to help support students like him and make a difference in their lives.

Q.4: What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

His favorite memory as a new principal was the warm welcome he received from the entire school community when he started at Barton.

Q.5: What makes being a principal at your school special?

He said that the students and staff are what makes being a principal so special. He also said that Barton students strive to succeed and work hard to excel academically and socially. He also thinks it is wonderful to see the students support one another.

In conclusion, we are lucky to have him as our principal at Barton, because he is nice and likes to help others.

Mr. Mendes, Bay Elementary Principal (Photo by Allyson McGowan)

Mr. Mendes, Bay Elementary.

This segment was contributed by Logan Paris and Dayana Fuentes Romero.

Q.1: How long have you been a principal?

Mr. Mendes has been the principal at Bay Elementary School for the past 14 years. Prior to working at Bay, he was an assistant principal at South Ocean and Saxton Middle School.

Q.2: Did you always want to be a principal?

He didn't always want to be a principal, when he was in college, he studied to be an accountant.

Q.3: Who inspired you in education?

Mr. Mendes was inspired to pursue education by one of his middle school teachers, Mrs. Phillips.

Q.4: What is your favorite memory from being a principal?

Mr. Mendes’s favorite memory from being a principal here at Bay was getting duct taped to a wall last year. He got to see everyone's smile and the kids were excited to duct tape him.

Q.5: What makes being a principal at your school special?

Being a principal at Bay is special because he gets to see kids excited about learning. He also enjoys watching them grow up throughout the years.

About the Contributor

Allyson McGowan, Editor in Chief

Allyson McGowan (2025) is the Editor in Chief of the Red and Black. On campus, she is part of the Color Guard and can often be found doing her homework during lunch. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing fantasy novels, playing video games, and watching movies with her family.

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