Pending board approval, Brenner to be named Smallwood principal

Brenner

Pending approval by the Amherst Central Board of Education on July 11, Lydia A. Brenner and Tom Ferraina will have new positions in the Amherst Central School District.

Brenner, the assistant principal of Amherst High School, has been named the new principal of Smallwood Drive Elementary. Brenner replaces Barbara Marotto, who is retiring from the district after 13 years as Smallwood

principal. Marotto will help transition Brenner into the new position during the summer months.

Ferraina, a social studies teacher at the high school, has been appointed director of curriculum and staff development.

Brenner brings 20 years of experience as an educator to her new position, with stops at Christ the King School and the Cleveland Hill and Sweet Home school districts.

Prior to arriving at Amherst, she spent several years working as an instructor and staff developer at the elementary level.

From 2001 to 2005, she was K-12 math coordinator at Sweet Home. Her success was reflected by a direct and measurable improvement in math achievement for students in the district.

Ferraina

Brenner also brings a broad and diverse range of experiences in the areas of special education, academic intervention services, literacy initiatives and statistical analysis.

"We are very excited to have Mrs. Brenner as our new elementary principal," said Amherst Superintendent Laura Chabe. "She has proven to be a dedicated employee who is ready to take on the challenges and responsibilities of a building principal. It is obvious that she cares very deeply about our children, staff and community, and I am looking forward to working with her in years to come."

Ferraina will also be assisting with the transition at Smallwood, as well as providing instructional support and assistance throughout the district. Ferraina previously served the district in a similar role as a teacher on special assignment.