A longtime teacher in Malone and North Country native, Sarah Mosher is now serving the district as the Assistant Principal at Franklin Academy. She was appointed Franklin Academy assistant principal at the Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting.
As an undergraduate, Mrs. Mosher studied to be a teacher with a heavy emphasis on psychology and behavior modification techniques. In addition to her interest in becoming a teacher, she also considered becoming a New York State Trooper. It was a difficult decision for her to choose between a path in education or law enforcement; however, she ultimately feels that her journey as an educator was the right one.
Mrs. Mosher has been an English teacher at Franklin Academy since Sept. 2011. She stated, “I hope to help create an environment where students and staff will feel wanted, welcome, and safe. It has been very hard to leave my classroom because I had such fantastic classes this year, but I am still able to interact with all the students daily when I am in the building.”
She assumes the position held by former assistant principal, Angela Trombley, who was promoted to principal earlier this year. “I am happy to work alongside Mrs. Mosher as my Assistant Principal at Franklin Academy,” Trombley said. “Our leadership styles complement each other, which makes us an excellent pair to lead the high school. Mrs. Mosher has also created meaningful relationships with students as an English and special education teacher, and has garnered their respect. Together, we will work to create a positive and fulfilling educational experience for our students.”
“As veteran educators and with a combined time of 40-plus years in our district, I cannot think of two better people to guide Franklin Academy,” said Superintendent of Schools, Brandon Pelkey. “They both have dedicated a lot of time and energy to our students over the years, and have developed strong ties to the school community, which will only continue to strengthen and enhance our high school.”
Mosher’s career in education began as an alternative education teacher at CVES in Mineville, NY, in August 1997. From there, she was hired at Franklin-Essex-Hamilton (FEH) BOCES as a special education teacher in Sept. 1999. Her time at FEH BOCES spanned from 1999 to June 2006, and additional roles included a paid principal internship as well as a regional summer school principal.
She worked a year as the principal for the Mohawk Board of Education, where she was the top administrator at an upper level and alternative school in Quebec, Canada. Afterwards she started her job as a special education teacher at Franklin Academy in Sept. 2007. She served in that role until June 2013, and also began teaching English in Sept. 2011. In addition, Mosher has been the Franklin Academy dean of students.
“I originally was a special education teacher, working with students with significant emotional and behavioral challenges,” Mosher said. “When I switched to teaching English, I continued using many of the same strategies to maintain a safe and productive learning environment in my classroom. I was repeatedly told I would be an excellent assistant principal and decided to move in that direction. I feel it fits my personality and demeanor very well.”
Mrs. Mosher holds a bachelor of arts degree in English/English education from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s degree in Special Education from SUNY Potsdam. She was a graduate of the Certificate of Advanced Study program in Education Administration from SUNY Plattsburgh. In addition, she holds NYS K-12 and Secondary English teaching certificates, as well as a School District Administrator certificate.
Mrs. Mosher is a Mooers, N.Y. native and attended and graduated from Northeastern Clinton Central School in Champlain, N.Y. She currently lives in Malone. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids, backcountry camping, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. In addition, she also takes pleasure in reading, crocheting, and hanging out with her cats.