PEOPLE PROFILE: Wilson principal looks forward to retirement

By Joe Olenick/olenickj@gnnewspaper.com
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

WILSON March 22, 2008 02:33 am

— People are important to elementary school principal Elaine Moon.
She moved to Western New York to be near her daughter. As principal of Thomas Marks Elementary School in Wilson, she enjoys working with the teachers and staff. As an educator, she loves teaching kids. And she has a plan for her retirement, which will start in June.
“I’m taking Mandarin classes and I want to teach English in China,” she said. “I’ve never really traveled.”
Moon began teaching first grade in 1969 in the Jamesville-Dewitt School District in the Syracuse area. She grew up in the Finger Lakes region and moved to Syracuse after finishing college. Moon received a bachelor’s degree from the state University College at Cortland and a master’s degree in learning disability from Nazareth College. Later, she received a certificate of advanced study from the state University College at Oswego in administration.
After teaching in Syracuse, Moon worked at a private school for emotionally disturbed kids. She said she found that a lot of the children who had behavior problems were misinterpreting what was being said in the classroom. They had learning issues, and she worked with them after receiving her degree from Nazareth. She then taught at Liverpool High School before taking a job with the city of Syracuse.
“I was in Syracuse for a long time,” she said.
Moon served on a committee for developing a curriculum for special education. A woman who was hired by the committee told Moon she should go into administration. Moon said at the time she said didn’t want too, because she loved children and teaching. But, Moon earned her degree in administration and held an internship before taking a job with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Canton. She then moved on to Norwich, in the Southern Tier, to be with her mother.
Later, Moon moved to Western New York to be closer to her daughter. She took a job with the Starpoint School District as director of instruction. While she loved the district, something was missing.
“After a couple of years, I said, ‘You know I miss kids, the joy is gone,’ ” she said. “My superintendent was wonderful and he said, ‘You should look at an elementary principal position. And there’s one open in Wilson.’ ”
Moon called her position “a dream job — the best 10 years of my whole career.”
“I get to see kids every day,” she added. “My teachers are incredible. They are really good, and they’re also generous. There are times when they’ll say, ‘Come on in and teach a lesson.’ I get to go in and teach. It’s fabulous.”
While interviewing for the Starpoint position, Moon said she was concerned about telling her interviewers that she was moving to the area to be closer to her daughter. But everyone understood, she said.
“People in Western New York really understand family,” Moon said. “It’s really a friendly place. Even though I’m not from here, I plan on staying.”
Moon added how much she loved living in Wilson. During warm weather, she usually rides her bicycle to school, and parents and students wave at her. People are friendly, and everyone knows everyone, she added. Moon estimates about 450 children come to her house on Halloween for trick or treating.
Moon said among the things she is proud of is how well the district has done academically. Also, she is happy with the main entrance to Thomas Marks, which is now handicap accessible.
Despite being excited about retirement, Moon said she will miss working with the staff and faculty, and the district in general. The feeling is mutual.
“She’s an asset to the district and she’s going to be missed,” said Wilson Superintendent Michael Wendt.
Moon said she looks forward to traveling, and maybe even serving in the Peace Corps, during retirement. She is also looking forward to spending time with her favorite kind of kids — her grandchildren.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick
at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

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