Dillon Leaving, Rizzo to take over as principal
Lynwood Principal James Dillon will graduate this summer while Alicia Rizzo, most recently an administrator in Hoosick Valley, will take over where he left off.
The Guilderland School Board unanimously approved Rizzo as Lynwood Elementary School principal at a Tuesday, June 8 meeting. Dillon retires later this month and said he plans on writing and consulting, drawing on years of experience in education.
Rizzo will officially begin her new administrative duties in July and receive an annual salary of $95,000.
Dillon finished his 17th year at Lynwood Elementary School and has spent more than 20 years in administration and 30 years in education. He was a special education teacher for almost 10 years.
`I love Lynwood,` he said. `It was a very difficult decision for me to make on many levels.`
He likened his 17 years of administration to the amount of time a student takes to complete kindergarten to college, calling his retirement a graduation of his own.
Dillon touted the community and support he received while principal.
`I think Lynwood has really been a school that’s really believed in community, not just for the students but for the staff.`
Rizzo said she is excited to take over for Dillon and is glad to be a part of the Guilderland school community.
`I am absolutely thrilled and honored to accept the position of Lynnwood Elementary Principal. Guilderland has a long-standing reputation of excellence and it is my privilege to continue to lead Lynnwood elementary in that tradition,` Rizzo said. `Guilderland is committed to its mission of empowering students for success in the 21st century and it is my goal to be a member of the school community that helps to fulfill that mission. The challenges for schools in these times are many, but I believe it is OK, because we can change the world. The Lynnwood community has been so overwhelmingly supportive of me already and I can’t wait to join them on July 1.`
Rizzo has a degree in elementary education from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in reading from the University at Albany. She received her certification in educational administration from The College of Saint Rose and has a literacy-coaching certificate from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass.
Rizzo taught in the Albany City School District for 15 years and was a literacy coaching-consultant before working as a BOCES School Improvement Specialist in 2007. In July 2008, she started full time at Hoosick Valley Central School District as the kindergarten through 12th grade director of instruction and academic intervention services. She’s been on the Hoosick Valley administrative team for two years.
`We are extremely pleased to welcome Ms. Rizzo to the district,` said Superintendent of Schools John McGuire. `Her knowledge, leadership experience, and enthusiastic commitment will be great assets to the students, parents, and staff of Lynnwood Elementary School and the greater school community.`
Rizzo was born and raised in the Capital District, graduated from Colonie High School in 1986 and lives in Wynantskill with her husband, Dennis, and three children.
Dillon leaves Guilderland on a positive note, as Lynwood recently received the New York State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development’s Award for Educating the Whole Child in the 21st Century, according to the school district.
Lynnwood is one of four schools in the state to receive the award for `supporting the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged,` reads the district’s Web site.
`We should all share in celebrating our accomplishment since it has been a team effort of students, parents and staff working together to create an environment where students can develop a love of learning, healthy life-long habits and a commitment to always trying one’s best,` said Dillon, who accepted the award on the school’s behalf at a June 8 meeting.
He said the award reflects teamwork and he wanted to receive it along with Rizzo on behalf of the school, since she will be part of the Guilderland school community now.
Dillon already has a nationally published book `The Peaceful School Bus,` and said he hopes to continue writing. He also wants to focus on promoting good education practice.
Dillon has lived in the Capital District for 38 years and now resides in Niskayuna.“