The Best Parts of Woodhull Principal Traci Roethel’s Job
What is the best part of Traci Roethel’s job as Woodhull Intermediate School principal? Well, it’s not a singular thing, but rather a long list of daily experiences and encounters that motivates her and keeps a spring in her step.
Mrs. Roethel has been Woodhull’s since February 2014. She earlier served as assistant principal at Candlewood Middle School in Dix Hills for four years.
“The age group of Woodhull’s students is a great one to work with,” Mrs. Roethel said. “Students are becoming young adults and beginning to understand the importance of working hard in school.”
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.
“I enjoy watching fifth graders entering the building for the first time as intermediate level students and then leaving two years later as middle schoolers,” Mrs. Roethel said. “It’s a chance to see amazing growth in a relatively short period of time.”
Prior to embarking on an administrative career, Mrs. Roethel worked as a sixth grade math teacher and fourth grade classroom teacher in Oyster Bay and as a math consultant to the Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Shoreham-Wading River and Hicksville school districts. She was a fourth grade teacher in Volusia County, Florida for seven years before moving to New York.
“Working with teachers that go above and beyond to make sure students succeed is great,” Mrs. Roethel said. “Having teachers that are willing to take risks and try new ideas and approaches to teaching if it benefits students is refreshing to see.”
Mrs. Roethel and her husband, Guenther, a pilot for JetBlue Airways, are the parents of three children; Kirsten, a ninth grader, Hailey, a sixth grader and Tyler, a third grader. Kirsten plays interscholastic and club field hockey, Hailey is a competitive gymnast and a soccer and field hockey player and Tyler plays baseball.
“I’ve had a great two years in the Huntington School District, which has been so welcoming and supportive since I became the Woodhull principal,” Mrs. Roethel said. “Working in a school district that wants to create the best opportunities for students by challenging them academically and helping them succeed in the years after they graduate is something special.”
One of the best parts of Mrs. Roethel’s job is watching students get involved in before and after school activities and special academic programs such as student council, drama club, art club, bridge club, Math Olympiads, SEARCH, intramurals and the sixth grade outdoor education trip to Greenkill.
Mrs. Rothel has a close working relationship with Woodhull Assistant Principal Jarrett Stein. “We work well together to benefit the students and teachers and we approach everything as a team effort,” she said.
One of Woodhull’s strengths is its support staff members. “They are always ready to lend a helping hand for students, either as a one-on-one aide or helping to make sure the building runs smoothly every day,” Mrs. Roethel said.
There is never a boring a moment around Woodhull Intermediate School and that suits Mrs. Roethel just fine. It’s that constant whirl of activity that’s one of the best parts of the principal’s job and it makes most days fly by.