MAYVILLE — Rachel Curtin has been appointed Chautauqua Lake Central School’s secondary school principal.

“Mrs. Curtin is excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Chautauqua Lake Central School community,” said Dr. Josh Liddell, district superintendent. “For the past seven years, she proudly served as the elementary principal at Albion Central School District. At Albion, she was responsible for over 800 students PK-5 and 97 faculty and staff in a rural school system. Her commitment to collaboration and fostering leadership within the school community led to improvements in areas such as literacy, family programs, and student safety. She is an excellent fit for the position and will be a great addition to our leadership team.”

Curtin has always referred to Chautauqua County as her home. She, along with multiple generations of her family, are from Ripley and Mayville. She earned her Bachelor of Music, Masters of Music, Music Education, and Certificates of Advanced Study in School Building and School District Leadership from the State University of Fredonia. SUNY Fredonia awarded her the Dr. Estelle M. Crino Educational Leadership Scholarship for Promising Women Leaders in 2017. She taught middle and high school music in Jamestown, and then in Silver Creek for 18 years before moving with her husband Jacob to the Rochester area.

In regard to what she learned as a teacher, she stated, “My experience as a music teacher informs my belief that the difference between failure and growth is determined not by applause, but by the joy found in the collaborative process and in the validation of human potential.”

Curtin’s gratitude for this opportunity to serve and to lead within the Chautauqua Lake secondary building is also rooted in her love of the outdoors, and its potential as an asset to the county. “We

have a strong connection to not only my family and friends who are here but also to the success and growth of our county. In addition to my interests in music and education, I am a supporter and volunteer with our Overland trails, Chautauqua Rails to Trails, and the Trails at Long Point State Park. My husband Jacob and I work with local businesses and organizations to sustain shared-use trails and to promote eco-tourism and healthy living initiatives within our county.We want to contribute to a community that is strongly committed to youth development and the community-school partnership.”

Curtin believes that the Chautauqua Lake Secondary School is outstanding because of the exceptional people who contribute to the annually established student-focused priorities and the vast opportunities that are available for the students.

“After researching the district, going through the interview process and then meeting with Dr. Liddell process I have come to realize that our Thunderbirds want to guide themselves with respect and empathy, and they want to contribute to not only their own success but also to the community and to the greater good,” she said. “I have been so impressed by the academic, athletic and co-curricular programming that has been established at Chautauqua Lake. It is such an honor to be part of a building and district that has a student-first mindset and array of diversified student opportunities. Each of us will play a role in helping our students develop curiosity and passion to reach our academic goals, to develop strong character, and to enjoy the success that comes from hard work in the years to come. I am looking forward to transitioning into my new role and leading with respect and empathy as we chart our course for the future. I promise to value every student for not only for who they are today but also for who they will be in the future. Let’s Go Lake!”