New Boght Hills Elementary principal appointed

During the April 25 North Colonie Board of Education meeting, Marcus Puccioni was appointed as the next principal of Boght Hills Elementary School to succeed Mrs. Kim Greiner, who is retiring after 13 years of dedicated service.  Mr. Puccioni is currently the Principal of the K-5 Brighter Choice Girls Elementary School in Albany, and will begin his new role in North Colonie on July 16.

Mr. Puccioni earned his bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in education from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology in Los Angeles, California. Subsequently, he pursued doctoral studies in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy at Michigan State University, earned Michigan K-12 administrative certification through Eastern Michigan University, and most recently, in order to obtain New York State administrative certification, completed the School Building and School District Leadership programs at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Mr. Puccioni has had a varied and distinguished career. Prior to embarking on his educational career, from 1999 to 2000 he served in the Peace Corps and was stationed in Vanuatu, a small island in the South Pacific. In 2002, he began his career as a math and science teacher in grades 6-8 at Cathedral School, a small parochial school in Los Angeles. From 2004 to 2008 he worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District where he taught in a variety of positions, including grade six ENL and self-contained instruction for students with learning disabilities who are working towards attaining language proficiency.

In 2008, Mr. Puccioni and his family relocated to Lansing, Michigan. While in Michigan, Mr. Puccioni taught methodology courses at Michigan State and served as a school leader for a newly established school in South Lansing, Lansing Academy. As Dean of Instruction from 2009 to 2011, Mr. Puccioni directly supported grade level professional learning communities, a position that was geared toward working extensively with faculty and staff on school improvement practice. In 2011, he was promoted to the position of principal of Lansing Academy. He served in this position from 2011 to 2013. During his principal tenure at the school, he facilitated, supported, and promoted policies and practices which improved instruction and led to increases in student achievement and learning.

In 2013, Mr. Puccioni and his family relocated to the Capital Region. While waiting to gain New York State administrative credentials, he took a position as a school administrator with the Brighter Choice Schools in Albany. Since 2013, he has supported school leaders, teachers, and over 1000 students in grades K-8 across four campuses. He has worked in a variety of capacities for Brighter Choice, including: Director of Schools, Principal of the Girls Elementary School, and Principal of the Boys Middle School.

“Mr. Puccioni is an extremely intelligent educator who exhibits compassion, calmness, humility, and a strong commitment to helping children and families,” said Superintendent Joseph Corr. “We believe he will be a fine successor to Mrs. Greiner, and we are excited to welcome him as a new member of the North Colonie community.”

“I am excited to join the Boght Hills and North Colonie school community,” said Puccioni. “I am grateful to Superintendent Corr, Deputy Superintendent Skeals, and the North Colonie Board of Education for granting me this opportunity. I am passionate about learning and look forward to continuing the excellent work done by Mrs. Greiner to ensure that all of our students have the supports they need to be successful. As a leader, I value strong relationships. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to continue to help our students grow as scholars and citizens. I look forward to getting started and meeting everyone soon.”

Category: Archive, Boght Hills, District News