On September 4, there will be a new (ish) school leader welcoming, high fiving, and hugging Pashley Elementary School students as they exit buses and embark on their first day of school. At a recent meeting, the Board appointed Lyndsay Stein as the new principal of Pashley.
Stein has been a Spartan since 2011 when she was hired as a traveling science teacher splitting her time between O’Rourke Middle School and BH-BL High School where she taught grades 7 and 8 science (including accelerated science), and biology, chemistry, and forensics, respectively. After a few years, she accepted a permanent position at the high school. In July of 2022, after Stein earned her School Building and School District Leadership certifications, she was appointed as the district’s K-12 Director of Science.
In this role, Stein led BH-BL’s entire science department and supported district-wide instructional initiatives, including the implementation of a districtwide annual STEM fair. She also spent a great deal of time working in the district’s elementary classrooms and collaborating closely with teachers supporting science instruction at the foundational level.
“It was during this time that I truly fell in love with the elementary setting,” says Stein. “The energy, curiosity, and joy I experienced there made a lasting impression. When the opportunity arose for a leadership role at the elementary level, I knew it was the right next step in my journey.”
And the right step it was. “Stein was not only extremely qualified for the position, but she also possesses the energy, enthusiasm, and drive that BH-BL seeks in an elementary school leadership position,” adds Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. David Collins. The entire hiring committee was in agreement that Stein’s experience and passion made her a stellar candidate who would be a great fit at Pashley. And, perhaps, that has something to do with her being able to fulfill her childhood dream.
“I wanted to be an elementary teacher since I was seven years old,” said Stein. “During high school, I had incredible science teachers who helped me believe in myself and inspired me to consider a future in the medical field. That inspiration did lead me to enroll in the School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute but something didn’t feel quite right. My heart kept pulling me back to education. That’s when I decided to blend my love of science with my passion for teaching.”
Because of her collaboration in teaching science in elementary classrooms and her seven-year run as the Director of Camp Invention, many Pashley Polar Bears already know and love Stein. Her roles at BH-BL over the years have also put her in every school in the district, where she forged relationships with staff, building leaders, and even students (who she cheers for as they cross the stage on graduation day). She credits her positions at BH-BL for helping her grow as an educator and leader, and plans to continue what those before her created.
“Over the past several weeks, I have been meeting regularly with staff and working alongside Pashley’s retiring principal, Jill Bonacio, gathering insights and planning my vision for the coming school year,“ says Stein. “I am incredibly excited and deeply honored to step into the role of Pashley’s Principal. This is a tremendous responsibility, one I do not take lightly. I am committed to serving our students, staff, and community with dedication, respect, and a passion for fostering a positive and inspiring learning environment. I look forward to working together to build on the great foundation already in place and to help every student flourish…and to become a Pashley Polar Bear, of course!”