BC News

Long-time District Educator Named First Principal of Eagle Elementary
Release Date: Jan. 24, 2008

Long-time Bethlehem Central educator Dianna Reagan will be the inaugural principal of Eagle Elementary, Bethlehem Central’s newest elementary school. The Board of Education appointed Reagan to the position at the January 23 Board meeting.

Reagan, currently the district’s elementary English language arts supervisor, began her teaching career 18 years ago at Bethlehem’s Slingerlands Elementary School. She served as the school’s assistant principal for two years before becoming ELA supervisor in June 2006. Earlier this year, she was named acting principal at Clarksville Elementary during Principal Dorothy McDonald’s brief medical leave.

“Dianna is one of the most skillful instructional leaders around,” says Bethlehem Superintendent Dr. Les Loomis. “She is both collaborative and decisive and has a great rapport with students, parents and colleagues.”

Reagan officially assumes her principal duties on July 1, in preparation for the school’s September opening. However, she will be involved in hiring decisions for the school’s staff throughout the spring.

“I am honored to have been chosen principal of Eagle Elementary School,” Reagan says. “Bethlehem Central has a long-standing history of excellence, community involvement and pride, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of it. I have always been passionate about teaching and working with children, and I look forward to building Eagle from the ground up—alongside teachers, staff members, parents and students. Together we will grow a great school.”

During her tenure at Slingerlands, teaching students in grades 3 through 5, Reagan successfully integrated technology into her classroom and served on the district’s technology committee and social studies cabinet. She took advantage of myriad professional development opportunities in assessment, guided reading and more. While assistant principal, she chaired a district committee charged with revising elementary report cards.

Since becoming the elementary ELA supervisor, she has led the district’s K-5 Balanced Literacy Initiative and last summer organized the district’s three-day literacy camp, designed to showcase the expertise of the district’s own teachers in connecting educational theory to classroom practice.

Reagan earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Miami University of Ohio in 1989. She then received a master’s degree in reading from The College of St. Rose in 1994. In 2005, she received her school administration and supervision certification from SUNY Albany.

 

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