It is with a great deal of excitement that I take over the principalship of the John B. Sliney School. I have been an educator for more than 3 decades as an elementary and high school teacher, a building administrator, and a central office administrator. But no position has been as meaningful to me as the principalship of an elementary school. As principal of three different elementary school in my career, I have been proud to work closely with staff and parents and to build school environments that insure the academic success of ALL our children within a supportive and caring environment.

I grew up in a family that deeply cared about education. My father was a factory worker who believed learning was important and that it opened doors to possibilities. Throughout my youth my parents worked closely with the schools to assure my success in school and my parents consistently stated  that I would be the first in my family to go to college.

Education is an important part of the life of everyone in my family. My wife is a highly successful English teacher. My daughter teaches second grade. And my son recently graduated from medical school. The conversations around our dining room table are of the successes of students in our schools and our lives. We know, through education, we have made a difference in the lives of many children.

Richard Gusenburg, Principal