The New Administration

As the students stampeded through the entrance of the school and down the main hall this year they were greeted by the administration. Many of the returning students expected to see the usual three men in suits greeting the teary eyed, tired and excited scholars. Yet, as they walked down the hall, they ran into an unfamiliar face: new vice principal Colleen Tedeschi.

Principal Paul Gasparini said that he knew in early July that the former vice principal, Dave Furletti, would be leaving to take the position of principal at Central Square High School. Though Mr. Furletti's presence will be missed, Mrs. Tedeschi is ready for the job.

Mrs. Tedeschi has already dedicated eight years of hard work to Jamesville-Dewitt School District. She has taught at both the elementary and middle school levels. She was a sixth grade teacher for three years, an instructional specialist for four years, and took an administrative internship for a year at Moses-Dewitt Elementary School. But never, in her eight years of working in the district, has she worked at the high school.

Mrs. Tedeschi believes being vice principal of a high school is different from her previous jobs: "I feel like there's a lot more accountability and responsibility in dealing with fellow teachers, students and parents."

However, Mrs. Tedeschi feels that she can better the high school and that this is a great opportunity to build on her leadership skills. She sees this as a key step to reaching her goal of someday becoming a principal herself.

"It's tough losing Dave," said Vice Principal Will Dowdell. "He possessed many unique skills and he always pushed me to make me better at my job." Even though Furletti was a key part to J-DHS, Mr. Dowdell feels that Mrs. Tedeschi has what it takes to fill Mr. Furletti's shoes. "She is more than qualified," says Mr. Dowdell. He feels that she will be a great addition to the administration and is very excited about the upcoming school year.

With this great responsibility, one can't help but think that your nerves would get the best of you. However, Mrs. Tedeschi said that she felt more excitement than any other emotion when she got the job. She admits that towards the beginning of the school year she was a little nervous but this didn't last. "This is such a well run building with great students and a great, supportive staff, it made things easy for me to settle in."

As the year begins, don't be surprised to see the face of Mrs. Tedeschi wandering the halls of the high school asking you how your day was or telling you to get to class. So as you walk by and see her don't forget to wave and welcome your new vice principal to the school.