Introducing the next Siwanoy School Principal

Dear Pelham Community,

Following a broad and thorough search process, I am thrilled to share that this evening I will recommend that the Board of Education appoint Jen Mangone as the next Principal of Siwanoy School effective July 1, 2026. Mrs. Mangone brings more than a decade of experience as a school leader, currently serving as Principal of Somers Middle School.

“I am incredibly honored and grateful to join the Pelham community as the next principal of Siwanoy Elementary School,” Mrs. Mangone said. “From my very first visit, I felt the warmth, joy, and deep sense of care that make Siwanoy such a special place for children to learn and grow. I am so excited to partner with the Pelham community to support student-centered learning that builds strong academic foundations while also nurturing the social and emotional well-being of every child. I can’t wait to get started and learn alongside this amazing community.”

The search to fill this position was comprehensive and collaborative with involvement from stakeholders from across the school community. This included: 

• Development of a Siwanoy Leadership Profile based on survey and focus group data collected from parents/guardians and staff members
• Candidate screening and interviews by members of the senior cabinet, refining a list of 57 applicants down to a pool of six finalists
• Finalist interviews with stakeholder committees of parents/guardians, Siwanoy staff and District administrators
• A performance task completed by candidates for staff members and a literature-based lesson facilitated for third grade students.
• Final interviews with Dr. Champ and the Board of Education

Throughout the various stages of the hiring process, Mrs. Mangone impressed, showcasing the skills and experience desired by our community as reflected in the leadership profile. We were especially impressed by her demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative and positive school climate, focus on developing a student-centered vision and strong collaboration skills with families, staff and students. 

In her current role, Mrs. Mangone has been a proven leader in several key areas that are aligned with our own strategic plan. This includes spearheading development of the “What I Need (WIN)” block, providing opportunities for differentiated instruction and enrichment, strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support by refining data-informed practices and ensuring transparent communication with families. 

Prior to serving as principal, Mrs. Mangone was the assistant principal of Somers Middle School and Babylon Junior Senior High School where she also taught social studies. She holds a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Adolescent Education, both from Adelphi University as well as an Educational Leadership Advanced Certificate from Stony Brook University. 

I want to thank the entire Siwanoy community for your participation in this search, Dr. Trisha Fitzgerald for expert leadership throughout this process, and of course Susan Kramer-Gilbert for coming out of retirement to provide a steady hand over the past year leading Siwanoy School. Please join me in giving a warm Pelham welcome to Mrs. Mangone.