Huntington Celebrates National School Principal’s Day

Huntington UFSD celebrated National School Principal’s Day this week, recognizing the efforts and work of the leaders of eight separate buildings in the district.

The eight principals include Rochelle Brown (Huntington High School), Traci Roethel (J. Taylor Finley Middle School), Donna Moro (Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School), Stephanie Campbell (Woodhull Intermediate School), Dr. Michelle Richards (Washington Primary School), Cindy Siegel (Flower Hill Primary School), Jill Amott-Erwig (Southdown Primary School) and Valerie Capitulo-Saide 
(Jefferson Primary School).

“As a district, we are incredibly fortunate to have eight exceptional principals leading our schools with dedication, heart and vision,” Superintendent Beth McCoy said. “Each day, they care for and guide more than 4,000 students, fostering safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where children can grow and succeed. On National Principals Day, and every day, I am grateful for their unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families.”

Here are snapshot profiles of Huntington UFSD’s teachers:

Rochelle Brown

Rochelle C. Brown has been Huntington High School’s principal since August 2024. She came to the district after serving as Uniondale High School’s assistant principal for the past three years. Prior to that she was an assistant principal at Roosevelt High School for nearly three years. She began her career as a science teacher in Queens.

Ms. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish having earned both at City College of New York. She obtained a Master of Science in Education degree at Pace University and studied for her administrative certification at The College of St. Rose.

Ms. Brown has also served as an attendance teacher, dean of safety and student culture and lead science teacher. She taught science on 6-8 grade level, including Living Environment and Earth Science Regents along with honors science.

Traci Roethel

Traci Roethel has been principal of J. Taylor Finley Middle School since July 1, 2019. She was Woodhull Intermediate School’s principal for 5½ years after coming to Huntington from Candlewood Middle School in Dix Hills, where she was an assistant principal.

Mrs. Roethel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education at Stetson University in Florida in 1992. She obtained a Master of Science degree in education with a specialization in math at Queens College in 2003 and completed an advanced graduate certificate in educational leadership at Stony Brook University in 2009.

Donna Moro

Donna Moro has been principal of Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School since August 2016.

She had been serving as the district’s STEM coach and elementary science coordinator for two years at the time of her appointment.

A member of the J. Taylor Finley Middle School faculty for many years, Ms. Moro taught Earth Science from 2005 through June 2014. She also spent time during the 2013/14 school year working as an instructional coach in the science department, including facilitating staff development, making a presentation on Huntington’s teacher leadership coaching model at a state conference, presenting to the Board of Regents on the structure and sustainability of the district’s teacher leadership coaching model and representing New York State in a leadership summit in Washington, DC.

Ms. Moro obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Hartford and Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in education degrees at Long Island University-C.W. Post. She obtained an advanced graduate certificate in school administration at Stony Brook University.

Stephanie Campbell

Stephanie L. Campbell has been Woodhull Intermediate School’s principal since December 5, 2022.

Ms. Campbell earned an undergraduate degree at James Madison University in psychology and elementary education in May 1997 and a master’s degree at George Mason University in educational leadership in January 2005.

Prior to being named Woodhull’s principal, Ms. Campbell had been working as an elementary instructional coordinator at Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Northport since 2019. She was previously employed as an Ocean Avenue as a third grade and fifth grade teacher between 2014-2019.

Dr. Michelle Richards

Dr. Michelle J. Richards has been principal of Washington Primary School since July 1, 2018.

Dr. Richards obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at SUNY Albany and a Master of Science degree in childhood education at City University of New York-Lehman College. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and supervision at St. John’s University. She studied for her state administrative certification at CUNY-Queens College.

At the time of her appointment in Huntington, Dr. Richards was an assistant principal in the Elmont School District since 2013 and an administrator there since 2009.

Rosecindy Siegel

Rosecindy Siegel has been principal of Flower Hill Primary School since July 6, 2022. She came to Huntington UFSD after a successful nine year run as assistant principal at PS 250 – George Lindsey Elementary School in Brooklyn.

Flower Hill’s educational leader obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at St. John’s University in 1995. Ms. Siegel earned a graduate degree in elementary school at Adelphi University in 1997. She studied educational administration and supervision at the College of St. Rose, obtaining her state certification as an administrator.

Jill Amott-Erwig

Jill Amott-Erwig has been Southdown Primary School’s principal since August 2021. At the time of her appointment, she had been serving as principal of PS 250 in Brooklyn. She was previously an assistant principal and lead teacher at PS 201 in Queens for five years.

Ms. Amott-Erwig earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Long Island University-CW Post in 2004 and 2006, respectively. She also obtained her state administrative certification through studies at LIU-CW Post.

Valerie Capitulo-Saide

Valerie Capitulo-Saide has been the principal of Jefferson Primary School since August 1, 2012. She came to Huntington after serving three years as principal of PS 101Q-The School of the Gardens in Forest Hills, Queens. She earlier worked for two years as that school’s assistant principal.

Ms. Capitulo-Saide earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative studies-dance at Hofstra University. She pursued graduate level studies at LIU-C.W. Post College, obtaining a Master of Science in elementary education and a certificate in educational administration-school building leader.