Joins other administrators who have received state honors
The accolades keep piling up for the administrators at Cornwall Middle School. In 2019, Samantha Buchholz (now principal at Willow Avenue Elementary School) was named Assistant Principal of the Year in the state of New York. Last year, Kate Polumbo followed up the honor by being named Principal of the Year. This year, the School Administrators Association of New York State and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have selected David Wright as Assistant Principal of the Year.
“Being able to receive recognition for the district on behalf of everyone means a lot,” Wright said. “It’s very reflective of the school. We have such a big school. We have the greatest teaching staff. You don’t get something like this all alone. We have incredible students and incredible teachers and teaching assistants. I’d like to hope it is a true reflection on us as a team.”
Wright received the news over a month ago, but he wasn’t allowed to say anything until the announcement was made official. He did however inform Polumbo, Superintendent Terry Dade, and his wife of the honor. He was recognized earlier this month at an awards celebration in Albany.
Wright attended Western New England College where he majored in political science. Out of college, he took a job in construction, but quickly learned he was passionate about social studies and history.
“When I was in high school, I would say that school was not my favorite thing in the world,” he said. “When I went to college, that’s when I really became a student and found a passion for history and social studies. I was completely hooked on it. By the time I graduated I couldn’t get enough of it. I was just fascinated by it. The idea of doing a career where I wouldn’t be able to use that ever again seemed illogical to me. I knew it was something I really loved and had to go after it.”
Wright went to graduate school at St. Thomas Aquinas College and two years later went back to earn his administration degree.
His first teaching job was at Felix Festa Middle School in Clarkstown. He taught sixth grade history and social studies for two years and seventh grade for the next eight. After a decade in the classroom, Wright began seeking administration positions and landed a job in Cornwall.
“Getting to work here, it felt like being picked up by the Yankees,” said Wright.
Heading into his new role, Wright’s biggest fear was losing the relationship he had with the students as a teacher.
“The whole thing with teaching was, it was fun. I liked the age of middle school. The kids are very smart but also funny. They have a sharp sense of humor. As a teacher I spent a lot of time laughing. I just enjoyed history so much, but I also enjoyed the age in general.”
After five years as assistant principal, those fears never materialized.
He still gets to pop his head into the classroom everyday and even interacts with students during lunch. When the school struggled with staffing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wright stepped up and donned his teacher hat.
“It was a blast,” he said. “I’m still glad I’m here in the assistant principal role, but it was fun to be back in the classroom.”
As assistant principal, Wright is responsible for building the master schedule, attending daily team meetings with teachers, and meeting with parents.
Despite being a Rockland County resident, Cornwall has become a second home to Wright, especially on days when he’s required to stay late. He enjoys taking the opportunity to get in some hiking and fishing.
