Gretchen+Sukdolak

Hi everyone! My name is Gretchen Sukdolak and I am the Principal of Union East Elementary School. When I was in High School, I loved participating in musicals, plays, anything that involved the stage. I wasn’t a terrific singer to be sure, but I loved everything to do with producing these shows, whether it was makeup, scenery, set design, etc. In my last two years of High School, I became involved in the yearbook staff which was supervised by one of the art teachers in the building. He suggested I try photography, then it was illustration and before you know it, I was hooked and involved in the production end of the book. He suggested I consider the field of “Art Education” and at the time I thought: I love art, I love to produce it – this could be the career for me! He was incredibly supportive, helped me put together a portfolio, helped me to acquire a scholarship, motivated me, believed in me and encouraged me daily to pursue this field. What I didn’t know at the time, was that “Art Education” was the // teaching //of art. It wasn’t until I had started as a Freshman at Buffalo State College that my advisor informed me, strangely enough, that // teaching // was what the program was about. I stopped to think about it and the more I thought, the more I said “yes, this is what I want to do.” I came to that conclusion because the man who inspired me enough to set me on this path was an incredible teacher. I remember thinking if I could do for just one student, what he was able to do for me, then it would be worth it in the end to pursue this career. I made the decision then, that teaching was for me, that was the Fall of 1982. I received my Bachelor’s in Education (Art Major) in 1987 and began teaching in the Royalton Hartland Central School District. I taught students in grades 8-12, was a department chair, yearbook advisor, building representative, member of the school improvement team, class advisor,etc. During this time also, I pursued another goal of military service as a member of the 338th General Hospital (US Army Reserves) in Niagara Falls, New York; finished my Master’s of Science in Art Education, married my husband Todd and had our first child, Baxter. Throughout the years at Roy-Hart, I enjoyed a wonderful relationship with students and the community. I remembered how my Art Teacher in high school, was so influential in making me know or believe that I could be successful, that I tried to instill this same level of motivation in my students. During this time, our 2nd child was born: Taylor who like his mom, loves the theatre, loves creating things (maybe he will be a teacher some day- who knows!) It’s funny now as I look back on my experiences at that time, how incredible it was as a teacher, to help someone discover how successful they really could be. Many of my students from those early years I see now and they each have families, jobs, commitments – just like me. I’m honored when they say that a class I taught or a lesson I presented made a difference for them as a student, or has made a difference for them in their daily lives. It still amazes me the difference that one lesson or project can make in the life of a child. For that matter, that we as teacher’s can have such a positive influence on others, that we have a real responsibility to our communities in this 21st century. We have the opportunity to help students see, then reach their full potential. We have the ability to help shape our leaders of tomorrow. For this reason, I truly believe that there is no more rewarding field or career than teaching. I left the Royalton Hartland School District in the summer of 1993 and joined the Pembroke Central School District in the Fall of the same year, teaching students in grades 5-12 over what would be a 7 year stay in the district. While in the Pembroke District, again I had supportive colleagues and administrators who said “try something new- set new goals- be a leader” and I did. I pursued a 2nd master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision through Niagara University, receiving the degree and certification as an administrator in the Spring of 2000. When I was hired in the Cheektowaga Central School District in August of 2000, I was impressed immediately with everyone’s belief in the value of each child, their love of the community and their desire to “make a difference” in the lives of children each day. I felt in many ways that I had found my home as well as the place I knew I was suppose to be. I have had the honor of working as an Assistant Principal at both the High School and Elementary levels, serving several years as the Elementary Summer School principal, as well. Now as the ** // very proud // ** Principal of Union East, I think about the Art Teacher who inspired me so early on and hope that I am doing for others, what he did for me. He believed in me, valued what I was doing and motivated me to move on and take the risk – he told me that there was nothing I couldn’t do in this world. I was fortunate to have my family’s support and the support of friends. However, to this day, it is this Art Teacher who truly inspired me! I love what I do and celebrate the opportunity to work in such a positive, motivating environment each day. So my “After High School” story doesn’t end with Union East as Principal, but demonstrates a new beginning. For our student’s, our teachers and families of Union East, we ** // begin // ** each day with inspirational messages and a positive welcome to our school. I hope our children at Union East feel inspired, are happy and love their experiences at our school. So now at the end of my story, I should say “thank you” to the Art Teacher I have mentioned who has inspired me for over 25 years and who in his retirement, is ** // still // ** teaching & inspiring others today: Mr. Joe Granchelli- // thank you Joe. //