Sloatsburg Elementary

Email the Principal

The Suffern Central School District is delighted to announce the appointment of Vanessa Rodriguez as Sloatsburg Elementary School Principal. Rodriguez succeeds Dr. William Castellane, who was recently named School Business Administrator. 

Rodriguez is a familiar and beloved figure in the Suffern Central School District. She’s been a teacher at Viola Elementary School since 2008—most recently in the kindergarten classroom—and this past year, she served as both the Summer Elementary Principal and the district’s After School Program Coordinator. In the latter two roles, she designed and implemented academic and social emotional learning programs, skills that are imperative to the success of a building leader.

“We saw a number of outstanding candidates for the principal position, but Mrs. Rodriguez outshone them all, not just in her interview, but in her performance over the past several years,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Erik Gundersen. “She’s a natural leader, has the ability to seamlessly connect with students and parents, and has been a true asset to our schools. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes as Principal of Sloatsburg Elementary.” 

Rodriguez is fluent in both English and Spanish. Before coming to Suffern, she taught first and second grade at P.S. 360 in the Bronx. Rodriguez received her Bachelor of Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Mercy College and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Long Island University, Brookville. She has also obtained certification as a New York State School Building Leader. 

“I am honored to serve as Principal of Sloatsburg Elementary School,” said Rodriguez. “I look forward to continuing the legacy of this special community school and getting to know all of the students, families and staff members that make it such a remarkable place.”