Principal's Corner

Principal
Randy Lichtenwalner

Randy Lichtenwalner bio


Originally from Pennsylvania, Randy Lichtenwalner has followed an unconventional journey to the principalship of Stamford Elementary School.  “Mr. L.” (as he is commonly known) originally worked full-time in the field of Arts & Theater Management to put himself through college at Marymount Manhattan College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater with a concentration in directing and a minor in Arts Education.  After working in his chosen field of theater management for several off-Broadway theaters (Jean Cocteau Repertory, Circle Rep, New York Theatre Workshop), he followed a desire to serve others by becoming a teacher through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program in its infancy.  While pursuing his Masters in Elementary Education, he was assigned to P.S. 161 Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School in the heart of West Harlem, where he taught 6th grade, 4th grade, and was later appointed to the position of Literacy Coach, conducting professional development workshops and coaching teachers in best practices in teaching Reading and Writing Workshop.  The creation of a family through adoption prompted him to relocate an hour north of NYC, where he became the Elementary ELA & Math Staff and Curriculum Developer for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns,working with the staffs and students across the 4 elementary schools of the district.  District leaders encouraged him to enter the field of educational leadership through the Bank Street School of Education/PNWBOCES Future School Leaders Academy, and a year later was appointed Assistant Principal of the Washington Irving Intermediate School within the same district while he completed his Masters in Educational Leadership and received his School Building and School District Leadership certifications.  He was appointed to his first principal position in the neighboring school district in Irvington, where he was the principal of their K-3 school, Dows Lane Elementary.  He later served as principal of Pound Ridge Elementary School, a K-5 school in the Bedford Central School District, and as principal of the Hillcrest Elementary School, the 4th & 5th grade school in Peekskill, NY.