Sarah Hadden named Greenwood Lake Superintendent of Schools

The Greenwood Lake School Board has appointed Assistant Superintendent Sarah Hadden as its next Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Steven Cohen, who served two years as superintendent, retired in June. In the announcement published on the district’s web site (www.gwlufsd.org), the School Board wrote said that under Cohen’s leadership, “Greenwood Lake UFSD has made great strides in school security and student enrichment opportunities, including Explorations, the expansion of extracurricular clubs, and Summer Academy.”

'The ideal person'

“By making this decision now, we are confident the transition will be as seamless as possible for our students, staff and community,” School Board President Susan Selser said in the announcement. “Over the past six years, Ms. Hadden has proven herself to be an effective communicator, a supporter of teachers,and an advocate for all our students. As a board, we believe she is the ideal person for taking on this role in our district.”

Hadden began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in Horry County Schools in South Carolina, later becoming a school leader for curriculum and instruction in the same district.

Comes to Greenwood Lake in 2012

Hadden was hired in 2012 as a curriculum specialist for the Greenwood School District, a position created with the intent to help with the transition to data driven instruction and implementing the Common Core. She played a key role in the rollout of the 1:1 ChromeBook initiative, oversaw the implementation of Reading & Writing Workshop and Singapore Math. She supported teachers in using MAP test data to drive instructional decisions, and has worked closely with the teachers of GWL to create curriculum maps and vertically align skills across grade levels.

She was promoted to director of curriculum and technology and later to assistant superintendent on spring 2018; she also served as acting elementary school principal.

Hadden holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from Wells College in Aurora. She earned a Master’s Degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University, as well a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from SUNY New Paltz.

'An incredibly special community'

“I am extremely honored and excited to have been asked to step forward into the position of Superintendent,” Hadden said in the announcement. “Greenwood Lake is an incredibly special community and I truly love coming to work each day with the faculty and staff of this District. The students here always have a smile on their face and I have built relationships with many students and their families that I know will last for years to come.

“I believe in my heart that as a district, we have developed the very best K-8 program in the county,” the new superintendent added. “Prioritizing a student-centered approach, through a Spanish language program, Project Lead the Way STEM curriculum and the Explorations initiative, has placed our district ahead of the educational curve in our region. I look forward to being a part of this outstanding district for many years to come.”