Board of Education appoints new administrators

Meet the new coordinator of literacy/UPK: Suzanne Guntlow

Oct. 19, 2012

Suzanne Guntlow is the new coordinator of literacy and universal pre-Kindergarten at Watervliet Elementary School.

Before her career in education began, Mrs. Guntlow worked in the insurance industry for 11 years—serving for several years as a supervisor in the liability unit at Traveler’s Insurance—after graduating from Siena College.

She returned to school to acquire her teaching certification at the College of Saint Rose—where she also earned her master’s degree—and taught Grade 4 in the East Greenbush Central School District for the past 13 years.

Mrs. Guntlow returned to the College of Saint Rose to earn her administrative certificate and worked alongside an elementary principal and the assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction during her administrative internship in the East Greenbush school district prior to accepting the coordinator of literacy and UPK position in Watervliet.

“As a teacher, I was involved in many curriculum initiatives,” Mrs. Guntlow said. “The most recent was implementing a pilot of a new common core-aligned math program, which I also helped get adopted for the current school year for grades K-6 in the (East Greenbush) district.”

What drew you to Watervliet schools?

I’m originally from Newburgh, NY (Orange County) and grew up in a city school district, so that’s part of it. But I’m also impressed with Watervliet and the progress the district has made especially through all the changes that are occurring in education right now.

Can you share your short term or long term goals for the schools?

My immediate goal is to get to know the staff, students and families. I also want to ensure that the district’s reading and writing programs are fully aligned with the common core and meet the needs of all our individual learners.

What are you currently reading, or what types of books do you like to read?

I like the Hunger Games series. Right now, I’m reading Pathway to the Common Core. (laugh) I read for enjoyment predominantly in the summer. During the school year, I read books that are related to my job.

What are some activities you enjoy when you’re not working?

I love spending time with my family. I have two high school students and their extracurricular activities keep me pretty busy. My son is a senior at Columbia High School and just played his last football game Friday. His team made it to the playoffs this year, which was really exciting.

My husband is a big fan of movies and is always trying to get me to go on the weekends, even though sometimes I’d rather just stay at home. The last movie we saw was ‘Looper,’ which is a futuristic action movie. What’s funny is neither of us was really interested in seeing it, but it just happened to be what was playing at the time we got to the theater. It was actually pretty good; better than I thought it was going to be. I like comedies the best, and I am definitely not into horror movies; I will avoid those at all costs.

What’s your favorite type of music?

I like all kinds (of music), but I mostly listen to what my teenagers like. When we’re in the car, my daughter usually control the radio, so I end up listening a lot to FLY 92.

What’s your favorite meal?

Pizza or anything Italian.

Do you like to cook?

When I have time, which is not much time these days. (laugh)